Abdullah Al-Turkiet to 'Al-Anba': Investment Sector a Key Driver of Economic Activity

In a phase marked by accelerating economic and financial transformations, and intensifying competition for capital and investment opportunities, the role of professional associations has evolved beyond serving merely as an active professional umbrella that aggregates member companies and represents their shared interests. It has expanded to become a partner in shaping visions, developing legislation, anticipating market trends, and contributing to the construction of a more diversified and sustainable economy. From this perspective, the Kuwait Investment Companies Union emerges as a professional umbrella seeking to unify the sector’s voice and leverage its accumulated expertise to support the business environment and enhance the competitiveness of the Kuwaiti economy.

Abdullah Al-Turkistani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Investment Companies Union, is leading this direction with a vision that goes beyond addressing immediate challenges to building a more future-ready investment system. This system is founded on institutional dialogue, partnership with government and regulatory authorities, the development of financial tools and markets, diversification of funding sources, and investment in national human capital. This vision recognizes that the strength of the sector is measured not only by the performance of its companies but also by its ability to exert a positive influence on its economic environment and to transform specialized expertise into practical proposals that contribute to the development of the investment climate.

Details of the interview follow:

First, how do you view the role played by the Kuwait Investment Companies Union in representing the sector and defending the interests of member companies?

We at the Kuwait Investment Companies Union believe that the strength and competitiveness of the investment sector enhance its capacity to contribute to the growth and development of the national economy. From this standpoint, we strive to consolidate the Union’s position as an active professional umbrella that aggregates member companies, represents their shared interests, and strengthens their presence in the financial and business ecosystem. We achieve this by crystallizing visions regarding issues of concern to the sector, and through continuous communication and coordination with government and regulatory authorities to convey the companies’ perspectives and discuss the challenges they face.

Through this role, we seek to propose practical solutions and recommendations that take into account, on one hand, the requirements of regulation and oversight, and on the other, the nature of companies’ activities and their practical needs. This contributes to developing the legislative and regulatory environment, enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the investment sector, and supporting its contribution to the national economy.

What are the main objectives of the Union’s 2024–2027 strategy, and how do they enhance its role in the coming phase?

The Kuwait Investment Companies Union’s strategy for the period 2024–2027 is built on four main pillars: Communication, Cooperation, Positive Media Influence, and Development and Training. These pillars aim to enhance the Union’s effectiveness and institutional role, and to expand the scope of its presence and influence on issues related to the investment sector.

In the field of communication, we focus on strengthening our relationships with member companies and expanding communication channels with investment and financial brokerage firms. This allows us to identify sector priorities and the challenges facing companies, and to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. Regarding cooperation, we aim to strengthen ties with government and regulatory authorities, as well as local and international institutions, and to broaden areas of partnership and coordination concerning policies and challenges relevant to the investment sector. This contributes to developing the business environment and supporting economic growth. In terms of positive media influence, we seek to enhance the Union’s presence, highlight the role of investment companies and their contribution to the national economy, and promote financial and investment literacy.

Among our most prominent initiatives in this field is the magazine “The Investor,” which serves as a specialized knowledge platform highlighting economic, investment, and legislative issues through analytical dossiers and interviews with leaders and experts, thereby enhancing awareness of developments in the investment sector and best practices within it.

As for the pillar of development and training, it focuses on developing the Investment Studies Center, expanding its role in preparing specialized studies and reports, strengthening cooperation with academic and professional institutions, and offering training programs that contribute to qualifying national talents and developing professional capabilities, alongside leveraging data and analytics to support decision-making.

These pillars are integrated within a strategic orientation aimed at consolidating the Union’s position as an effective representative of the interests of member companies and a partner in economic dialogue, while enhancing its contribution to developing the investment sector and supporting national efforts to build a more competitive and sustainable investment environment, in line with the objectives of “Kuwait 2035.”

How does the Investment Companies Union contribute to supporting and developing the financial and business environment and enhancing the efficiency of the Kuwaiti economy?

We appreciate the efforts undertaken by the state, government entities, and regulatory authorities to develop Kuwait’s economic and investment environment, including the reforms and directions aimed at enhancing market efficiency and competitiveness, stimulating economic activity, and expanding the role of the private sector in supporting development and diversifying income sources.

The Union plays an active role in supporting these efforts through continuous institutional communication with government and regulatory bodies and decision-makers, providing perspectives, proposals, and recommendations on economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that impact the business environment and financial markets, based on the practical experience and needs of member companies.

In this context, the Union has submitted numerous proposals regarding the development of legislation governing investment in funds, the review of certain provisions of the Companies Law and the Competition Protection Law, alongside its efforts to address issues related to corporate real estate registration, and to provide its views on the regulatory framework for the startup market at the Kuwait Stock Exchange, as well as several other regulatory matters related to the financial market.

The Union also strives to keep pace with developments in financial markets by organizing seminars and awareness sessions to introduce modern investment tools and products, and to discuss related regulatory developments and requirements, thereby enhancing knowledge of these developments and supporting the utilization of them by companies and investors.

What about the Union’s contributions to major economic issues and initiatives related to diversifying funding sources and stimulating economic growth?

We believe that the investment sector represents one of the key drivers of economic activity, given the role played by investment companies in managing and deploying capital, developing investment and financing tools and solutions, and linking investment opportunities with investors, thereby contributing to market activation and providing diverse financing channels for projects and economic activities.

From this perspective, the development of this sector does not only impact companies operating within it, but also extends to enhancing the private sector’s contribution to economic growth and diversifying income sources.

In this context, the Union strives to support national orientations aimed at developing the economy and enhancing the private sector’s participation in development, by providing insights and proposals on several key economic issues, most notably the development of the debt instruments market, enhancing the role of bonds and sukuk in diversifying funding sources, and expanding partnership opportunities between

the public and private sectors, studying privatization opportunities, alongside reviewing legislation that affects investment attractiveness and developing financial instruments and markets. These proposals reflect the Union’s commitment to enhancing the utilization of the expertise and capabilities of Kuwaiti investment companies in financing development projects, asset management, and capital mobilization, thereby supporting national efforts to develop the business environment, strengthen the competitiveness of the Kuwaiti economy, and ensure the sustainability of its growth.

How does the Union’s Investment Studies Center contribute to the development of professional competencies?

The Investment Studies Center, established in 2009, serves as the training arm of the Kuwait Investment Companies Union and plays a crucial role in developing professional competencies and qualifying national cadres. It does so by offering specialized training and educational programs aimed at enhancing technical and specialized skills, as well as personal, behavioral, and leadership skills, in line with labor market needs, developments in financial markets, and professional and regulatory requirements.

Over the past years, the Center has delivered more than 680 training activities, benefiting over 11,490 participants, in areas including financial analysis, risk management, governance, Islamic finance, and anti-money laundering. It also offers preparatory programs for mandatory certification exams, specialized professional qualification programs accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), and programs for developing the skills of executives and boards of directors. Additionally, the Center provides an e-learning platform that offers flexible opportunities for continuous learning and keeping pace with professional and regulatory updates.

We pay special attention to preparing young national cadres and facilitating their entry into the labor market through initiatives organized by the Union in collaboration with universities, educational institutions, and member companies. These initiatives enable students and graduates to gain practical experience, understand the nature of work, and explore the professional opportunities available in the investment sector.

Among the most prominent of these initiatives is the “Athar” practical training program, launched by the Union in the summer of 2026. The program aims to provide students with opportunities to gain field experience within investment firms, linking their academic knowledge with practical application. This enhances their readiness to enter the labor market and contributes to preparing a new generation of qualified national talents to support the future of Kuwait’s investment sector.

In addition to its training role, we work to strengthen the Center’s contribution to producing specialized studies, research, and reports, while expanding cooperation with academic and professional institutions. This supports knowledge development and provides insights and analyses that help examine issues related to the investment sector and support data-driven decision-making.

How do you address developments in artificial intelligence, fintech, and sustainability?

Developments in artificial intelligence, fintech, and sustainability have become key factors influencing the future of the investment sector, as they offer opportunities to develop investment services and products, improve operational efficiency, enhance risk management, and strengthen corporate competitiveness.

The Union is committed to keeping pace with these transformations and contributing to the dissemination of knowledge regarding modern applications of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, while enhancing companies’ readiness to leverage these technologies. This is done while adhering to governance requirements, risk management protocols, and relevant regulatory frameworks.

In the field of fintech, the Union has contributed to discussions on regulatory guidelines for financial technology services with the Capital Markets Authority. It has provided its technical observations and proposals based on international and regional best practices, taking into account the nature of the Kuwaiti market, as part of dialogue and coordination with the Authority regarding the development of regulatory frameworks and keeping abreast of developments in financial markets.

Regarding sustainability, we strive to support companies in adopting practices related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. This is achieved through organizing specialized seminars and meetings and collaborating with international institutions. A notable example of these efforts is the Union’s cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in organizing a roundtable discussion focused on enhancing the role of the private sector in sustainable development and developing sustainability strategies and initiatives, while leveraging international expertise and best practices.

What is the importance of expanding relations with regional and international markets in serving member companies?

External cooperation represents one of the pathways we are working to develop, with the aim of providing broader opportunities for member companies to explore regional and international markets, investigate investment opportunities and projects, and connect with economic and investment institutions.

In this context, the Union is committed to receiving ambassadors and foreign economic and investment delegations, strengthening communication with embassies and relevant government entities involved in investment across various countries, and organizing joint economic meetings and forums, both in person and virtually. This enables member companies to engage in direct communication with relevant authorities, learn about available investment opportunities, projects, facilitations, and incentives, and explore potential areas of cooperation and partnerships.

These efforts contribute to strengthening the Federation’s role as a bridge between Kuwaiti investment companies and external markets, expanding communication channels and knowledge exchange, thereby enhancing companies’ capacity to explore new opportunities for cooperation and investment expansion. What are the Federation’s priorities during the remaining period of the strategy, and how do you measure its success in serving companies?

Our priorities in the coming phase involve continuing to represent the interests of member companies and contributing to the development of Kuwait’s investment and capital markets, leveraging all the Federation’s capabilities and expertise to support national efforts aimed at improving the business environment and enhancing the competitiveness of the Kuwaiti economy. We also focus on developing the services of the Investment Studies Center, strengthening its role in promoting financial and investment literacy and qualifying national talent, expanding local and international partnerships, and encouraging the adoption of sustainability and governance principles, thereby enhancing companies’ readiness to keep pace with developments in financial markets.

We believe that opportunities are promising for the Kuwaiti investment sector, but they require sustained efforts to strengthen institutional practices, contribute to consolidating legislative and regulatory stability, enhance market confidence, invest in human capital, and keep pace with global transformations. We look forward to the Federation continuing to play its role as an effective voice for member companies and a partner in developing the investment sector and enhancing its contribution to the national economy, thereby supporting the state’s aspirations to consolidate Kuwait’s position as a regional financial and investment hub.

Enhancing Competitiveness and International Partnerships

Abdullah Al-Turkiet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Investment Companies Federation, emphasized the importance of expanding the network of local, regional, and international partnerships, considering them one of the tools that can be leveraged to exchange expertise and gain insights into advanced experiences and practices in financial markets. He clarified that openness to specialized institutions provides opportunities to enhance knowledge of developments in the investment industry, particularly in the areas of governance, financial technology, and institutional capacity building.

Governance and Continuous Education

Abdullah Al-Turkiet stated that professional development programs targeted at boards of directors represent one of the important aspects of the Investment Studies Center’s activities, especially in light of ongoing developments in regulatory requirements and governance standards. He added that training programs also cover topics such as sustainable investment, environmental and social standards, sustainable development goals, and climate change risks, thereby providing opportunities to develop professional knowledge related to corporate management and responding to modern changes in financial markets.

Qualifying Recent Graduates for Entry into the Financial Sector

Abdullah Al-Turkiet affirmed that the Investment Studies Center places the qualification and preparation of recent graduates for work in the financial and investment sectors among its objectives, by providing educational and training opportunities that help acquire knowledge and skills related to the nature of financial jobs. He clarified that qualifying graduates requires combining academic knowledge with professional applications, thereby helping them understand the nature of work in investment companies and its technical and regulatory requirements.