Finance Ministry: 44 Shops in Al-Mubarakiya Linked to Traditional Market Trades

The Official Gazette of Kuwait published today, in its issue released yesterday, an announcement by the Ministry of Finance regarding the qualification of applicants wishing to exploit state-owned commercial units in the Qibla area of the Al-Mubarakiya market, within Commercial Plot 7. The ministry stated that the announcement aligns with its vision to revive the market’s heritage shops. The announcement covers 44 commercial units, the exploitation of which is restricted to individuals with a historical heritage in the Al-Mubarakiya markets, specifically those engaged in crafts and handicrafts, traditional restaurants and cafes, spice shops, sales of nuts and traditional food products, leather goods manufacturing and sales, tailoring, prayer beads, and fishing shops.

The ministry stipulated that applicants must be Kuwaiti nationals, a condition that must remain valid throughout the lease term. Applicants must also have full legal capacity, be at least 21 years old, and must not have been finally convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or breach of trust, unless their reputation has been restored. Additionally, there must be no ongoing legal disputes between the applicant and the ministry arising from a previous contract related to the exploitation of state property, or from a breach of contractual or financial obligations toward the ministry, unless such disputes have been resolved by a final judgment or an approved settlement.

Applicants must also demonstrate a genuine and documented historical connection to the Al-Mubarakiya market and its professional, craft, or commercial heritage, whether through a long-standing personal connection, a multi-generational family link to the market, engagement in a craft or activity historically associated with the market, or prior ownership, occupation, or exploitation of a shop or property within the market. Furthermore, applicants must intend to operate the unit in the same historical activity or in another historical activity among those listed.

A qualification committee will review applications, assess the elements of historical connection, and rank eligible candidates. The deadline for submitting applications is one month from the date of the announcement.