Abdullah Boufatin: Kuwait Times celebrates 65 years of leadership
Kuwait Times celebrates the 65th anniversary of its founding, marking a distinguished media journey intertwined with Kuwait’s modern renaissance. The newspaper has accompanied the stages of construction, development, and the economic and social transformations the state has witnessed since the early 1960s to the present day.
For more than six decades since the publication of its first issue on September 24, 1961, printed at Al-Maqhawi Press by the late journalist and Honorary President of the Kuwaiti Journalists Association, Yusuf Saleh Al-Alayan, may God have mercy on him, Kuwait Times has become the first English-language daily newspaper in Kuwait and the Arab Gulf region.
Abdullah Subih Bofatin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait Times, stated that the 65th anniversary is an occasion to take pride in the history of a pioneering national media institution that, since its inception, has played a role extending beyond newspaper publication. It has served as Kuwait’s window to the world and a bridge for communication between Kuwait and English-speaking communities.
He added: “Kuwait Times has documented the state’s renaissance and conveyed it to the world through news, reports, and journalistic stories over the past decades. Alongside other esteemed national institutions, it has helped introduce the world to the country’s history, institutions, and culture. Meanwhile, it has maintained its professional mission despite the changes the global media and journalism industries have undergone, particularly following the artificial intelligence revolution. Kuwait Times will continue to fulfill its mission and keep pace with the state’s journey and future aspirations under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir of the State, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and preserve him.”
Bofatin continued: “In recent years, Kuwait Times has undergone a comprehensive institutional transformation encompassing content, work environment, and digital presence, strengthening its media footprint and expanding its audience. We have been keen to ensure the newspaper does not live off its history, but rather invests in that history to build its future.”
Bofatin noted that this comprehensive transformation has been reflected in the newspaper’s reach, content, financial performance, and market value, alongside the development of products and content and the diversification of revenue sources. This has contributed to achieving the desired sustainability and the continuation of the print edition alongside digital expansion.
Bofatin emphasized that the changes were grounded in the newspaper’s history and archives. The Kuwait Times headquarters, located on the historic Press Street, houses a rich archive containing previous issues of the newspaper, documenting the political, economic, social, sports, and cultural events Kuwait has experienced over 65 years.
Bofatin clarified that the transformation was not limited to content and platforms but extended to converting the newspaper’s headquarters into a vibrant space and a comfortable, attractive work environment. He said: “We have gradually transformed the headquarters into a Creative Hub; an incubator for creativity and content production that brings together journalism, training, and community engagement. It attracts a new generation of journalists, photographers, talented individuals, and young writers, and opens its pages and content to support artists and athletes, while keeping its doors open to school and university students and specialists.”
Bofatin affirmed that the renewal also encompassed the institution’s culture and leadership, through empowering youth and granting them greater space for initiative and decision-making, alongside the active presence of female professionals in leadership positions and their contribution to the institution’s management and success.
On the occasion of the newspaper’s founding anniversary, the institution will open its offices, printing press, and studios to all followers, readers, colleagues, and officials next Thursday, September 24, during the evening hours, to get a close look at our team, work environment, history, transformation story, and future vision.
