Kuwait

Dr Mohammad Y Al-Hashel, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, speaks with World Report about the strength of Kuwait’s financial sector and economy, as well as the long-standing, healthy relations between the UK and his country

Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chief of the Kuwait Foreign Investment Bureau (KFIB), tells World Report about the country’s plans to expedite investments and business partnerships, and the bureau’s strong focus on UK-Kuwaiti ties

The United States and Kuwait have maintained close business, diplomatic and education links over the years

Established in 1960, Gulf Bank of Kuwait has certainly seen its share of ups and downs in the past five years, yet has remained true to its focus on local and retail commercial banking

The Kuwait Stock Exchange has improved surveillance systems and the latest technology by NASDAQ OMX, and has been streamlined thanks to strict requirements by the Capital Markets Authority. Now, KSE is ready to go public

In 2000, First Takaful Insurance Company was established as the first of its kind in Kuwait. Market penetration remains low for the insurance sector in general, but First Takaful is raising the bar for quality and service

Set up to help developing countries, the KFAED has, since its inception, disbursed $15 billion in concessionary loans and technical grants to 102 nations worldwide

The Kuwait Fund for Development has provided over 15 billion dollars in loans: Director General Mr. Abdulwahab Al-Bader discusses its work

In February 2010, Kuwaiti lawmakers and the administration put aside their differences long enough to agree that the country was in sore need of an extreme infrastructure makeover

A small building in the Rawda area of Kuwait brings hope to parents of children with autism. At the Kuwait Center for Autism, 100 children receive special care and assistance to develop their potential, and to help them to understand the world in which we live

According to the World Health Organization, 347 million people worldwide have diabetes. In the Gulf area, the incidence of this chronic disease is high and growing

In 2010, Kuwait unanimously  approved a $104 billion Development Plan through 2014

The most forward looking state in the region, Kuwait is stepping up its efforts to diversify its economy, with a strong emphasis on education

Eagle Vision Media Group is a multimedia company that encourages and backs local talent, of which there is no shortage in Kuwait

Self proclaimed as the original melting pot for the limitless imagination and creativity of the Kuwaiti entrepreneur, hundreds of Kuwaitis rejoiced at the grand opening of 52 Degrees on January 26, 2011

Refigeration Industries Company (RIC) is a diversified manufacturing, contracting and services business, offering a wide range of products and services in the areas of climate technologies and storage solutions

Dasman Diabetes Institute launches new health initiative

Kuwait’s Development Plan is paving the way for sustained economic growth, excellent health and education, and greater technology transfer.

Kuwait is reforming its healthcare system through various channels, and the KDP is allocating millions of dollars toward a very ambitious plan to increase the amount of hospital beds by 3,565 (60%). Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer, Minister of Health, explains, “We are also building a new hospital, the Jaber Hospital, which will be one of the largest projects in the Middle East. This is all being done with the aim of reducing overcrowding.”

Industries take center stage in diversification plans

The government has targeted education as a key sector in bringing Kuwait back to its former glory as the region’s “shining star” of social and economic development

The American School of Kuwait in Hawalli is a special center of learning

Of Kuwait’s nine colleges and universities, Kuwait University (KU) is the country’s oldest, largest and sole public institution of higher learning

Privately-owned Universal American School follows the U.S. curriculum from nursery all the way through high school, with a wide array of extracurricular activities

Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) offers industry-relevant, competency-based training in a unique 2+2 degree program based on the Australian vocational curriculum

The American International School of Kuwait (AIS) is an International Baccalaureate authorized school that is preparing future global citizens

Dr. Khalid M. Al-Saad, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, feels young citizens should be trained for the private sector in order to safeguard the country’s economic future

Mr. Abdullah Al-Sharhan, Chairman of the Australian College of Kuwait, discusses the importance of nurturing the country’s future through education

The longstanding and incredibly close relations between Kuwait and the UK represent a genuine two-way street of social, cultural and economic exchange, understanding and respect. Frank Baker, the UK Ambassador to Kuwait, tells World Report that these ties are becoming even stronger and he urges UK-based businesses to take a moment to realise what Kuwait has to offer them as “there is a growing recognition that what you get with British companies is the best in the world and long-term solutions”.

Kuwaitis frequently boast that their country leads the region in democratic credentials and at first glance, at least, they are right

As the first Kuwaiti governorate to export oil to Britain in 1946, Al-Ahmadi enjoys the reputation of being “the home of Kuwaiti oil” and “where everything happens” in the emirate. Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, Governor of Al-Ahmadi, speaks to World Report about his governorate’s history, its rapid recovery from the Iraqi invasion’s scorched earth policy, the raft of new projects under way, and the warm welcome that awaits international investors.

With oil as its main economic lubricant, Kuwait focuses on maintaining good partner relations and safety and environmental standards

Mr. Salman Albadran, CEO of VIVA Telecom, discusses the future of telecommunications in Kuwait

Who can offer new, exciting and innovative services in this competitive market?

In Kuwaiti telecoms, big dinars are spent on numbers—phone numbers, that is.

Voted Kuwait’s Best Business Hotel, Crowne Plaza Kuwait is home to the country’s largest ballroom, its first Aquatonic pool, and a raft of different dining possibilities. Now, the hotel is further enlarging its conference facilities and nearly tripling the number of guestrooms and suites

Mr. Ramy Haykal, General Manager of the award-winning Crowne Plaza Hotel, explains his country’s potential