The Kuwait stock exchange will shift its weekend to Friday and Saturday from Thursday and Friday from September 1, the bourse said on its Web site.

The oil producer is changing its weekend to Friday and Saturday, bringing its working week in line with most fellow Gulf Arab states and giving businesses an extra day to work with major trading partners outside the region.

Government employees will work from Sunday to Thursday starting from September 1.

Kuwaiti banks already work from Sunday to Thursday, reflecting the sector's strong ties with the Gulf, Europe and the United States. - Reuters