12,888 companies established in the first five months of 2026

Recent statistics issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry revealed that the total number of companies established during the first five months of this year reached 12,888, distributed between personal companies and free trade companies, while the total number of licenses issued to these companies amounted to approximately 23,215 licenses.

In detail, data from the Kuwait Business Center showed that the total number of approved applications for personal companies during the first five months of this year reached 8,401, while the total number of licenses issued to these companies was 18,694.

Regarding free trade companies, the total number of approved applications during the first five months of the year reached 4,487, while the total number of licenses issued to these companies amounted to approximately 4,521 licenses.

February witnessed the highest number of licenses issued for both personal and free trade companies, with a total of 5,064 licenses, including 3,958 licenses for personal companies and 1,106 licenses for free trade companies. This was followed by April, which saw the issuance of 4,893 licenses, comprising 3,830 for personal companies and 1,063 for free trade companies.

January saw the issuance of 4,133 licenses, including 3,471 for personal companies and 662 for free trade companies. March witnessed the issuance of 4,692 licenses, comprising 3,874 for personal companies and 818 for free trade companies. Finally, May saw the issuance of 4,433 licenses, including 3,561 for personal companies and 872 for free trade companies.