Ministry of Commerce approves regulation of free trade activities and specifies licensing conditions and sectors

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued Ministerial Decision No. (216) of 2026 concerning the regulation of self-employment activities, and Ministerial Decision No. (217) of 2026 approving the schedule of self-employment activities, with the aim of defining permissible fields and establishing the controls and requirements governing them.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Tuesday, the Ministry clarified that self-employment activities encompass professional, scientific, technical, consulting, commercial, building services, administrative support, business support, arts, entertainment, education, training, and tourism sectors. It added that permissible fields also include rental activities, employment, maintenance, and repair activities (simple crafts), information and communications, real estate activities, and the manufacturing of textiles, garments, and leather products.

The Ministry noted that the regulation allows for the licensing of companies, including self-employment companies, which can be operated without the need for a commercial premises, in accordance with specified controls. It stated that license applications can be submitted through the Kuwait Business Center Administration, the unified government electronic services application (Sahl), (Sahl Business), or any other means approved by the Ministry.

The Ministry reported that the decision stipulates that the licensed entity must take the form of a single-shareholder company, with its founder serving as its manager. The founder must be a Kuwaiti natural person of full legal capacity, at least 21 years of age, and must not have been subject to a final judgment imposing a liberty-restricting penalty for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or breach of trust, unless their reputation has been restored.

It pointed out that the decision requires the company to have an address consisting of a chosen domicile, a post office box, or an email registered with the Public Authority for Civil Information, with the consent of the property owner if the chosen domicile is in a private residence.

The Ministry of Commerce stated that the decision obligates companies to obtain approvals from relevant regulatory authorities for activities requiring such approvals, in accordance with the legislations and decisions governing them. The decision sets the license validity period at four years, renewable for similar periods, and mandates that companies disclose their commercial registration number in their official accounts and transactions.

It added that the decision requires companies to open a bank account in the company’s name and use electronic payment methods approved by the Central Bank of Kuwait. Furthermore, companies must display their name and commercial registration number on their websites and social media accounts.

The Ministry warned against receiving company visitors or clients within a private residence, as the decision prohibits this, while allowing the exploitation, marketing, and sale of designs, innovations, ideas, and artistic models resulting from the activity.

It clarified that the decision permits companies to contract with licensed companies and establishments with commercial or industrial premises to carry out manufacturing, completion, processing, printing, and packaging works. It also allows them to contract with licensed warehouses and establishments to store products, receive sales orders, prepare them, and execute related logistics operations.

The Ministry of Commerce indicated that companies are allowed to participate in exhibitions, temporary markets, and electronic platforms to display, market, and sell their products and services, in accordance with prevailing regulations.

It noted that the decision entrusts the Commercial Register and Economic Activities Administration with determining self-employment activities, with the possibility of adding, amending, or abolishing any activity by a Ministerial Decision published in the Official Gazette.