LibGuides: Kuwait: Business & Industry

Business Travel to Kuwait

Sandstorm in Kuwait. Photo by Molly John (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

According to the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA), Kuwait and the United States enjoy a cordial relationship with one another. The U.S. is a leading trade partner with Kuwait. The U.S. exports over 3 billion USD products to Kuwait annually with automobiles and automobile parts being the leading trade product. High-end medical equipment, electric generators, and information technology are also leading exports. The U.S. imports primarily petrochemical products, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and fertilizers, from Kuwait. To find out more information about doing business in Kuwait, read ITA's Kuwait Country Commercial Guide

Central Bank of Kuwait
CBK commenced operation on the 1st of April 1969, in fulfillment of the following core objectives stated in Article 15 of its Law No. 32 of 1968:
* issues national currency on behalf of the State
* maintains the relative stability of the Kuwaiti Dinar
* directs credit policy with the aim to contribute to social and economic progress
* supervises the State's banking system
* serves as a banker and financial advisor to the government
Doing Business 2020
Find out why Kuwait is one of the top 10 improvers for economic advancement according to the World Bank.
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“World Bank. 2020. Doing Business 2020: Comparing Business Regulation in 190 Economies. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/32436 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”

World Development Indicators (WDI) This link opens in a new window
World Development Indicators is a compilation of internationally comparable statistical metrics related to global development and the fight against poverty. The database contains time series indicators for more than 200 countries and over 40 country groups. Data for many indicators spans more than 50 years.

Business in Kuwait ~ Databases & Websites

Euromonitor Passport This link opens in a new window
Euromonitor Passport provides business intelligence on selected Industries, Countries & Consumers, Companies, and Geographies, and comprehensive tools for analysis across datasets. Search “Kuwait” to find analysis reports on topics such as, Home Care in Kuwait, Consumer Health in Kuwait, Cooking Ingredients and Meals in Kuwait.
EIU Viewpoint This link opens in a new window
IHS Connect provides continuously updated analysis of global business conditions and economic information. Proprietary reports and ratings assess country, banking and sovereign risk. Search for Kuwait Country/Territory Report, March 2024 for a summary and analysis on Kuwait's political and economic outlook.

Doing Business in Kuwait 2024: A Tax and Legal Guide
This guide is intended to provide an introduction to the taxation and legal aspects of doing
business in Kuwait, particularly covering items that an inbound investor may typically have in mind.
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PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2024). Doing Business in Kuwait 2024: A Tax and Legal Guide. https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/tax/documents/doing-business-guides/dbiku.pdf
Kuwait Country Risk Report - Q1 2024
“Kuwait will continue to be heavily reliant on oil for the foreseeable future, exposing the country to fluctuations in global energy markets. A challenging political environment will keep causing headwinds to diversification reforms. We are therefore quite bearish on the country's economic outlook.”
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London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited.
Kuwait Information Technology Report - Q2 2024
“In 2024, the Kuwait IT market remains buoyant, propelled by robust retail and enterprise demand, underpinned by the strategic aims of Kuwait Vision 2035. This vision is reshaping both digital and physical infrastructure, positioning Kuwait as a key player in the regional IT arena. Significant investments in cloud computing, digital transformation, and infrastructure projects are attracting global industry leaders like Oracle, Microsoft, and Google Cloud. An important growth driver is the diversification from hydrocarbons and expansion of service sectors, with a focus on software and services in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and business process enhancements, aligning with efforts to grow non-oil sectors. However, the primary risk to this positive trajectory is potential regional instability from the Israel-Hamas conflict and the risks of wider MENA regional geopolitical shocks.”
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London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited.
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – Kuwait
Located on the Arabian Peninsula bordering Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Kuwait is one of the most densely populated OPEC Member Countries. The Middle Eastern nation comprises an area of around 18 thousand square kilometres and has a population of around 4.3 million. Its official language is Arabic. Kuwait has a prosperous economy. The country is a Founder Member of OPEC.
Trade.gov International Market Research
U.S. Department of Commerce's portal to international trade and market research. Kuwait Country Commercial Guide provides information on doing business in Kuwait, including business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, etc.