The Middle East

The Kuwait stock market is undergoing a series of changes, which have the potential to trigger transformations in the market’s daily operations and long-term prospects. This commenced in 2016, with private operator Boursa Kuwait taking over operations of the publicly owned bourse, then known as the Kuwait Stock Exchange. In mid-February 2018 the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) announced it had...

As a founding member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as well as the site of approximately 7% of the world’s crude oil reserves, Kuwait has long been a major energy exporter. In 2017 the nation’s oil sector generated more than 90% of government revenues, and oil exports were equal to some 42% of GDP, the highest figure among member states, according to OPEC data...

With 6% of the world’s proven oil reserves and 1% of its natural gas, Kuwait had an estimated GDP per capita of $71,943 in power purchasing parity terms in 2017, which was the eighth-highest value for any country or autonomous region, according to the World Bank. Kuwait has also been a prudent saver of its petrodollars and has the world’s fourth-largest sovereign wealth fund, with the Kuwait...

As a member of both the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the GCC, Kuwait has numerous strategic ties. Additionally, the country is arguably the most politically dynamic in the Gulf, which has afforded it strong foundations to help tackle recent issues regarding parliamentary elections and accountability. By continuing with economic diversification efforts and reducing...

Retail and wholesale trade accounts for a sizeable percentage of Kuwait’s non-oil GDP – at 9.1% as of February 2018 – and there are solid growth forecasts for the coming year. Kuwait has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world at $68,500 in 2017, according to the World Bank, and there is strong demand for luxury and imported goods among wealthy locals and foreign residents, who now...

The energy sector is the backbone of Kuwait’s economy, accounting for 90% of both exports and government revenue. Major projects led by state-owned...