Investment opportunities in Kuwait for local, regional and international investors will be put on focus at the Kuwait Investment Forum 2018 (KIF 2018), to be held later this month in Kuwait.

The event will take place on March 20 and 21 in Kuwait City.

Being held under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber, KIF 2018 is co-organised by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at Bayan Palace and the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC).

The event will be attended by ministers and high-ranking Kuwaiti government officials, representatives of diplomatic missions in Kuwait, local and foreign investors, industry leaders and executives, consultants and financial institutions, said a statement.

With the goal of driving inward investments to Kuwait by highlighting the economic competitiveness of the country, KIF 2018 will highlight the government’s focus to strengthen several sectors and promote economic diversification – goals outlined by Kuwait Vision 2035, the strategic roadmap for long-term growth.   

Ali Al Ghanim, chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said: “The chamber supports the investment-friendly environment of Kuwait through various programmes and initiatives, such as e-services.”

“We also supervise the Kuwait Commercial Arbitration Centre and system that promotes transparency and contributes to solving any commercial disputes efficiently in accordance with international best practices. In addition, we organise regional and foreign economic delegations to present Kuwait’s investment environment globally,” he said.

“The private sector is the cornerstone of the future economy, and through KIF 2018, we are underlining the opportunities and returns that Kuwait assures investors,” he added.

KIF 2018 is being hosted on the backdrop of the significant growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) reported by the country, said Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, director general for Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA).

“FDI to Kuwait has increased to over $2.3 billion in the past two years, and we are confident that KIF 2018 will lend further momentum to the inward inflows. With our investor-friendly laws, a world-class business environment, strategic location and the robust growth in our telecom, information technology and financial sector, Kuwait offers incredible value for Arab, GCC and international investors, especially in building their business footprint in the region.”

He added: “The Kuwait Investment Forum is a significant platform that showcases the investment landscape of our country as well as the tremendous opportunities offered to Arab, GCC and international investors in a number of high-growth areas. It complements the strategic vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber to transforming Kuwait as a dynamic hub for business,” he continued.

Among the key topics to be discussed at the event include investment in ‘Future Kuwait’; Trade Facilitation – A Driver for Development; Investment Opportunities- Lucrative Options in Dynamic Sectors, Financing for Sustainable Developments and Dialogue on “Kuwait Development Path: The Vision & the Determination”. Details on the expert speakers and panel discussions at the event has already been announced on KIF 2018 website.

Special feature: An Update on “New Kuwait” will also be taking place at KIF 2018 will include various ministers, and will highlight the progress and outlook on Kuwait Vision 2035. This exclusive session will be the first public event since the vision's launch in January 2017 and will shed light on the progress to date on each of the programmes seven pillars.

Marking the support of Kuwait’s national businesses to KIF 2018, Kuwait Finance House, National Bank of Kuwait, United Steel Industrial Company (Kuwait Steel), Zain Telecommunications, Ali Alghanim & Sons Group are extending support as Diamond Sponsors, while Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Al Markaz are the Platinum Sponsors. In addition to New Kuwait as a Strategic Partner and Kuwait Airways as the official Carrier, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service