Kuwait's External Investments Reach 76.8 Billion Dinars by End of March

- 3.6% growth in foreign direct investments in Kuwait

- 36.4% surge in external deposits

- 19.3% decline in external trade credit

- 9.9 billion in direct banking investments abroad

- 6.7 billion in financial derivatives investments

- 6.65 billion in debt instrument investments

- 12.13 billion in loans within external investments

- 5.62 billion increase in securities investments

- 1.95 billion in foreign equity investments in Kuwait

- 29.3 billion in other Kuwaiti investments abroad

Kuwait’s total external assets rose by 6.6%, valued at 4.746 billion dinars, reaching 76.782 billion in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 72.035 billion in the same period of 2025.

Data from the Central Bank of Kuwait on the country’s international investment position showed that Kuwait’s direct investments abroad increased by 4%, valued at 702.3 million, to reach 18.373 billion, compared to 17.67 billion. These were distributed between 17.727 billion in equity, a 3.6% increase equivalent to 621.1 million, compared to 17.1 billion, while debt instrument investments rose by 14.3%, or approximately 81.1 million, to reach 646 million, up from 564.9 million.

At the sectoral level, direct investments by local banks in equity rose by 10.4%, approximately 934.6 million, to reach 9.921 billion, compared to 8.987 billion. Meanwhile, investments in other sectors, including investment, insurance, financing, exchange, and investment funds, declined by 3.8%, equivalent to 313.5 million.

Regarding investments in external securities portfolios, there was a 3.7% increase, or 365 million dinars, reaching 10.126 billion, compared to 9.76 billion. This was distributed between 3.473 billion in equity, a 7% increase or 228.4 million, compared to 3.24 billion, while investments in debt instruments rose by 2.1%, reaching 6.653 billion, against 6.516 billion.

Kuwait’s investments in financial derivatives also rose by 12.5%, valued at 744.2 million, to reach 6.675 billion, compared to 5.93 billion. Local banks accounted for the largest share at 6.66 billion, an increase of 12.6% or approximately 745 million, while investments in other sectors amounted to 8.1 million.

Other investments abroad grew by 19.8% in the first quarter, valued at 4.849 billion, reaching 29.294 billion, compared to 24.444 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Currency and deposits led with 15.312 billion, a 36.4% increase or approximately 4.09 billion, compared to 11.2 billion. Loans also rose by 8.9%, valued at 997.3 million, to reach 12.13 billion, against 11.132 billion.

Investments in insurance and guarantee programs amounted to approximately 1.7 million, a 6.25% increase, while trade credit declined by 19.3%, reaching 1.213 billion, compared to approximately 1.5 billion.

On the side of external reserve assets, they decreased by 13.4% to reach 12.312 billion, compared to 14.226 billion. These were distributed among 31.7 million in monetary gold, 1.358 billion in special drawing rights, 220 million representing reserve positions with the International Monetary Fund, and 10.702 billion in other reserves.

Conversely, foreign direct investments in Kuwait rose by 3.6%, valued at 190.2 million, to reach 5.357 billion, compared to 5.167 billion. The majority were in equity, valued at 5.341 billion, a 4% increase, while foreign investments in debt instruments amounted to approximately 16.3 million.

Foreign investments in securities portfolios recorded a notable jump of 136.5 percent, amounting to $5.62 billion, to reach $9.737 billion, compared with $4.116 billion. This was distributed between $1.953 billion in equity holdings, up 116.7 percent or by $1.052 billion, and $7.783 billion in debt instruments, up 142 percent by $4.567 billion. The growth in Kuwait’s external assets, alongside the rise in foreign direct investment and portfolio investments in the local market, reflects divergent movements in the components of the country’s international investment position.