Kuwait Finance House named best institution for 'Emiratization/Gulfization' of workforce

The Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries honored Kuwait Finance House (KFH) in recognition of its excellence in housing and localization programs and training, and its pioneering results in attracting and qualifying national cadres within Kuwait’s private sector. The award was presented during a special ceremony hosted under the patronage of the GCC ministers of labor and social affairs in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.

The honor for KFH was conferred during the 12th meeting of the GCC Ministers’ Committee for Social Affairs and Development, attended by senior officials and decision-makers, including Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Jassem Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC; Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood; and Jassem Al-Najim, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain. This recognition underscores the bank’s leading position in the localization of national labor and the development of human capital.

Upon receiving the award, Ahmed Hamad Al-Hamad, Acting Head of Human Resources at Kuwait Finance House Group, expressed his pride in this honor, which reflects official appreciation for the bank’s pioneering efforts in developing national human capital and supporting localization programs. He affirmed the bank’s commitment to continuing cooperation with relevant authorities to enhance opportunities for the qualification and training of national cadres, and to elevate their scientific and professional capabilities in line with best practices and global standards.

Best Institution for Labor Localization in the Private Sector

Al-Hamad stated that KFH’s selection as the best institution for labor localization in Kuwait’s private sector was based on precise criteria and advanced performance indicators, enabling the bank to achieve outstanding levels in Kuwaitization rates and training and development programs, according to data and classifications from official competent authorities. He noted that KFH takes pride in being the largest employer of national cadres among Kuwaiti banks and private sector institutions, with the proportion of Kuwaitis among new hires in recent years ranging between 98% and 100%, while the overall Kuwaitization rate reached 83%.

He emphasized the bank’s ongoing efforts to enhance Kuwaitization rates in accordance with regulatory requirements and controls, with a focus on expanding the participation of national cadres in managerial and leadership positions. He pointed out that Kuwaitis hold approximately 76% of leadership roles within the bank.

In the same context, Al-Hamad highlighted that KFH continues to make tangible progress in sustainability goals related to human resources by reinforcing transparency principles, developing professional policies, and strengthening commitment to environmental, social, and governance standards. These efforts contribute to building an advanced corporate culture and reinforcing the bank’s values.

He added that the bank places special emphasis on empowering women and enhancing their presence across various departments and job levels, reflecting its belief in their vital role in supporting economic and social development. Many female employees hold leadership and executive positions, demonstrating high competence in managing diverse tasks and responsibilities within the bank. He noted that women represent approximately 32% of the bank’s workforce across its branches.

Award Criteria and the basis for recognition were anchored in several controls and criteria, including requiring each member state of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to select private sector institutions that achieve high and advanced rates in implementing localization and nationalization programs, rely heavily on national workforce, and commit to providing appropriate qualification and training opportunities for national employees, while considering the quality of benefits and incentives offered by the nominated institution that contribute to stabilizing the national workforce, and the extent to which such benefits are available within the institution. Among the selection procedures, a specialized committee is formed under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, in cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and other relevant entities, to review and evaluate information regarding the institution slated for selection, based on available statistical data and the specified criteria and conditions for recognition.

Awards and Recognitions

The record of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group is replete with awards and recognitions that reflect its leadership and excellence in the field of human resources and human capital development. The Group won seven prestigious awards in 2026, including five awards at the 23rd edition of the Stevie Awards, in addition to two awards from the Association for Talent Development (ATD). This achievement underscores the success of its strategy in building an advanced work environment, adopting innovative best practices in human resource management, enhancing employee experience, empowering talent, and consolidating an institutional culture based on continuous learning, development, and innovation. The awards included:

- Award for Excellence in Advanced Use of Employee Analytics and Data.

- Award for Achievement in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Standards.

- Award for Employee Experience Development and Enhancement of Internal Career Mobility.

- Award for Excellence in Talent Attraction and Recruitment System, won by Kuwait Turk.

- Award for the AI-Enabled English Skills Development Platform, won by Kuwait Turk.

- Award for AI-Enabled Education and Learning Development from the Association for Talent Development (ATD) within the Middle East Excellence Awards, won by Kuwait Turk.

- Award for the Talent Attraction Center from the Association for Talent Development (ATD) within the Middle East Excellence Awards, won by Kuwait Turk.

This international recognition reflects Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group’s leading position in human resource development, and its continuous commitment to investing in its human capital as the fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable growth and institutional excellence.

Key Indicators and Figures

- 98% to 100% ratio of Kuwaiti nationals among new hires.

- 83% Kuwaitization rate.

- 76% ratio of Kuwaitis in leadership positions.

- 32% female representation in Kuwait Finance House branches.