Investment Companies Association Concludes First Edition of "ATHAR" Program

The Investment Companies Association concluded the first edition of the “ATHAR” program at a ceremony held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Dr. Tariq Hamad Al-Jalahma, Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs. The event was sponsored and hosted by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Chamber’s auditorium, with the attendance of Mr. Amjad Abdullah Al-Zaid, Deputy General Manager of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Abdullah Hamad Al-Turk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investment Companies Association. Representatives from investment companies, universities, and supporting organizations, as well as the parents of the participating students, were also in attendance.

The ceremony served as a culmination of an experience that brought together investment companies, universities, and several national entities, exemplifying a model of collaborative efforts aimed at investing in youth potential, building a bridge between academic study and professional life, and providing students with the opportunity to gain direct exposure to the investment sector and the capital market ecosystem.

“ATHAR” is part of the Investment Companies Association’s initiatives to develop human capital, reflecting its role as the representative of the investment sector in bringing companies together around shared initiatives that enable them to transfer their expertise to new generations and highlight their contribution to corporate social responsibility, in collaboration with universities and relevant national entities.

Al-Jalahma: Investing in Youth Is Investing in Kuwait’s Future

H.E. Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs, praised the “ATHAR” program, commending the Investment Companies Association for launching this initiative and for providing participants with the opportunity to learn, gain professional experience, and acquire new skills.

His Excellency emphasized the importance of investing in Kuwaiti youth, supporting their potential, and creating opportunities for them to discover their capabilities and develop their skills. He encouraged participants to build upon what they had gained during the program and to leverage it in their future careers.

His Excellency also reflected on the significance of the name “ATHAR” (Impact), noting that it conveys the message that every individual leaves an impact on their life, surroundings, and society. He stressed that the value of an experience lies in what it leaves within the individual and the impact they, in turn, create thereafter.

For his part, Mr. Abdullah Al-Turk affirmed that the Association has solidified its role over more than two decades in representing the investment sector, building capabilities, and training national talent. He pointed out that the sustainability of the sector depends not only on capital but also on investing in people and developing national competencies.

He explained that “ATHAR” was a manifestation of this approach, having started as an ambitious idea proposed by a group of Kuwaiti youth to build a bridge between academic study and professional life. Through the combined efforts of investment companies, universities, and supporting entities, it evolved into a practical experience that enabled participants to gain close familiarity with the work environment and the sector’s requirements.

Mr. Abdullah Al-Turk appreciated the contributions of all partners in the program, emphasizing that the integration of roles is what gives youth-oriented initiatives their true value. He stressed that the conclusion of “ATHAR” marks the beginning of the participants’ professional journey, adding: “This is the impact we aspire to—an impact that does not end with the program and does not stop at an award ceremony.”

In turn, Mr. Amjad Abdullah Al-Zaid highlighted the importance of linking education with labor market requirements, particularly in light of the challenges associated with the nationalization of the workforce and the rapid transformations currently affecting professions and jobs.

He noted that practical and applied training serves as an essential complement to academic education, contributing to enhancing the efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of national talent, and better preparing youth for the demands of the labor market and the future changes it will undergo.

He also underscored the importance of the private sector’s role in training and equipping youth and supporting their potential, praising the Investment Companies Association’s initiative and the early engagement it fosters between students and the investment sector, as well as its aspiration to leave a lasting impact on participants’ professional journeys.

Following the speeches, Farah Al-Ajmi and Salem Al-Muzail, members of the “Athar” team, presented an overview of the program’s journey, from candidate interviews to the final projects. They highlighted the participation of universities and investment companies, the allocation of students to training entities, and the indicators of participants’ development and progress across a range of skills throughout the experience.

The Association expressed its appreciation for their efforts in implementing the program and overseeing its various stages, and for their contribution to transforming the concept into a practical experience that brought together students, investment companies, universities, and supporting entities.

The program was sponsored and supported by: Al-Safwa Investment Company, Kamco Investment, Kuwait Clearing Company, Ayan Leasing and Investment Company, Arzan Financial Group for Financing and Investment, Kafik Investment Company, Noor Financial Investment Company, Kuwait Finance House, and Tharwa Investment Company. Their contributions reflect the sector’s role in supporting national talent and translating corporate social responsibility into practical initiatives.

The following institutions also supported the program and nominated students: Kuwait University – College of Administrative Sciences, Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST), American University of Kuwait (AUK), Kuwait International Law School (KILAW), and Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST).

The Capital Markets Authority, the Kuwait Stock Exchange, and Kuwait Clearing Company played a supportive role in enhancing the practical aspects of the program by hosting participants for field visits that enabled them to gain firsthand insight into the capital market ecosystem and the roles of key regulatory and operational entities.

The Capital Markets Authority contributed to deepening participants’ understanding of the legislative and regulatory aspects related to the capital market. Participants learned about the Authority’s establishment, objectives, and competencies, as well as its role in regulating securities activities, enhancing transparency, and protecting market participants. They also gained insight into the functions of the Authority’s various departments in legislative, regulatory, supervisory, and awareness-raising domains. The Authority also ensured that participants received the information and guidance needed to prepare their final projects and develop their ideas in line with relevant requirements and frameworks.

The Kuwait Stock Exchange contributed to familiarizing participants with the practical aspects of the market, the operational mechanisms of the capital market ecosystem, investment fundamentals, and the history of trading in Kuwait. It also highlighted the Exchange’s role in operating and developing the securities market, thereby strengthening participants’ ability to link investment concepts to market realities.

At Kuwait Clearing Company, participants learned about the nature of the company’s operations, its subsidiaries, and its role within the capital market ecosystem, which helped enhance their understanding of the interdependence of key entities involved in the market.

The Association also expressed its appreciation to the two members of the judging committee: Dr. Anas Faisal Al-Turha, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Center for Commercial Arbitration under the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Dakhil Abdullah Al-Dakhil, for their participation in evaluating the students’ projects and for enriching the experience with their expertise.

The ceremony featured the announcement that the “Fals” team from Kamco Invest won first place in the final projects of the first edition of “Athar.” The team was given the opportunity to present their project to the audience, which aims to simplify the concept of investing for young people and encourage them to start with small steps and amounts, thereby strengthening their investment culture and bringing it closer to their realities and capabilities. The team received a financial reward of 1,000 Kuwaiti dinars in recognition of their first-place finish.

All participants in the program were also honored in appreciation of their efforts and achievements throughout the experience, receiving commemorative shields and certificates of appreciation to celebrate their participation and completion of the program.

The Association emphasized that winning in “Athar” is not limited to rankings. The experience of developing the projects, along with the knowledge and expertise gained by the students during the process, constituted a benefit for all participants. Honoring all participants reflected the Association’s appreciation for the ideas and projects they presented, as well as the effort and commitment they demonstrated throughout the program.

Among the most notable practical outcomes of the first edition of “Athar” was that several participants secured job opportunities at some of the participating companies. This reflects the lasting impact of the experience beyond the training period, transforming it into a genuine starting point for the professional careers of some students.

The Investment Companies Association expressed its aspiration to build on the experience of the first edition and develop “Athar” in future iterations, expanding the circle of participation to open the door for more young Kuwaitis to undertake the experience and benefit from the opportunities the program offers.