Kuwait’s economy relies heavily on hydrocarbons-related industries, and while plans are in place to transition to more renewable sources, medium-term development strategies will see oil and gas extraction, processing and capacities ramped up, with the revenue channelled into the government’s industrial diversification drive. Downstream chemicals and petrochemicals production forms the backbone of Kuwait’s non-oil industrial output, and major capacity-expansion projects are planned. The years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic brought significant growth for the manufacturing sector, with the government announcing its decision to make more land available for industrial activities to increase sector momentum and cater to growing demand. The government’s portfolio of proposed mega-projects is designed to invigorate cross-sector growth, with a strong focus on manufacturing and logistics, including the implementation of a number of dedicated industrial and economic zones.
This chapter contains an interview with Mohammed E Al Adwani, Director-General, Public Authority for Industry.