52.3% growth in exhibition licenses in Kuwait in the first half

Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry revealed a significant rise in the number of licensed exhibitions in Kuwait during the first half of 2026, reaching 355, an increase of 122, representing a 52.3% annual growth compared to 233 exhibitions during the same period in 2025.

The data showed that the issued licenses were distributed among 331 for temporary commercial exhibitions, up from 218, an increase of 51.8%. Additionally, the number of licenses for gold and jewelry exhibitions rose to 24, compared to 15, marking a 60% growth.

Despite the recorded annual growth, licenses witnessed a sharp decline in June last month, dropping by 76.6% on a monthly basis, falling from 120 in May to 28 exhibitions in June.

This decline was driven by an 80.6% drop in commercial exhibition licenses, amounting to 96 fewer licenses, bringing the total to 23 exhibitions in June, while licenses for gold and jewelry exhibitions surged by 400% to 5 exhibitions, compared to one in May.

May topped the list of months in terms of the number of licenses issued during the first half of the year, with 120 licenses, followed by February with 98, then January with 92 licenses, June with 28, and March with 13, while April recorded the lowest level with only 4 licenses issued.

The exhibitions hosted in Kuwait vary between real estate, services, financial, consumer, car, gold, and perfume exhibitions, among others. Events held since the beginning of the year witnessed notable attendance and purchasing activity, reflecting sustained local demand and purchasing power, particularly during seasons and social occasions.