Direct Investment Promotion Authority: KD 948 million in new investments during 2025/2026

- Total cumulative approved investments since 2015 rise to KD 2.920 billion

- Meshal Al-Jaber: A message to the investment community stating that Kuwait is open, competitive, and ready for the future

- Emphasized the continued building of an investment system that supports innovation and enhances economic resilience

The Direct Investment Promotion Authority announced the attraction of new investments worth KD 948.037 million during the fiscal year 2025/2026, through 17 investment entities, raising the total cumulative approved investments since 2015 to KD 2.920 billion.

In his message included in the annual report published on the Authority’s website, Director General Sheikh Dr. Meshal Al-Jaber stated that the growth achieved this year, represented by new direct investment inflows amounting to KD 948,037,183, sends a message to the investment community that Kuwait is open, competitive, and ready for the future.

He added that results are measured not only by the volume of capital attracted but also by the quality of investments, the transfer of knowledge and technology, and the opportunities provided to Kuwaiti national talents. He emphasized the continued building of an investment system that supports innovation and enhances economic resilience, thereby contributing to the realization of Kuwait Vision 2035.

The Authority, in its statistical report for the fiscal year 2025/2026, clarified that licensed investments contribute to supporting the national sector by providing employment opportunities, developing human capital, transferring and localizing technology, enhancing the local component, participating in development projects and social responsibility initiatives, all of which support the targets of Kuwait Vision 2035 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Authority’s Board of Directors, within its role in expanding a competitive investment environment in the State of Kuwait, emphasized the importance of applying good governance principles, setting strategic directions, and making timely decisions in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 116 of 2013, thereby enhancing a more transparent, flexible, and competitive regulatory framework for investors.

The Authority enters a new phase of growth through its second medium-term strategy for the period 2025–2030, which aims to consolidate Kuwait’s position as a future-ready economy based on investment, aligned with global capital flows and emerging sectors.

Strategic priorities include expanding the scope of investments with economic impact in priority sectors, in line with global growth trends; providing a smooth investment journey for investors from market entry to expansion; and pursuing digital transformation and service integration to enhance efficiency, speed of execution, scalability, and transparency.

Regarding economic impact, the report indicated that cumulative investment inflows grew to reach KD 1.24 billion by December 2024, an increase of approximately 14% on an annual basis, with 76% of total spending retained within the local economy, thereby contributing to strengthening supply chains and supporting the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ecosystem.

Elements of economic impact include the transfer of advanced technologies and operational expertise, developing national cadres through training programs, creating high-value job opportunities, expanding local content and supplier chains, and enhancing the effective and sustainable integration of international investors into the national economy.

The report noted that licensed investment entities continue to achieve value exceeding capital inflows by developing national capabilities, accelerating technology transfer, supporting strategic development projects, and enhancing sustainability practices. It highlighted the implementation of 832 training programs, the transfer of advanced technologies in vital sectors, participation in key development projects, alongside the execution of 115 sustainability initiatives supporting 15 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In the context of enhancing the investment experience, the Authority is working to provide an integrated system based on efficiency and streamlined procedures. This includes expanding the network of approved channels and investment offices to support investors in establishment and implementation processes, and providing advanced digital platforms, including the Investor and Investment Offices Registration Portal (IERP), to enhance efficiency, transparency, and real-time tracking.

These efforts also include supporting investors throughout all stages of the investment cycle, from market entry to post-investment care and expansion, while coordinating with government entities to accelerate approval processes and reduce time-to-market.

The Authority is working to open an integrated pathway for ready-to-invest opportunities, including economic zones, strategic assets, and infrastructure-related projects. This is achieved by continuing planning, tendering, and financing activities, and preparing projects for launch, thereby enhancing their investment readiness, encouraging private sector participation, and securing long-term returns.

On the international front, the Authority continues to strengthen Kuwait’s position within the global investment ecosystem through targeted outreach and participation in international events, including Davos, Bloomberg forums, Expo Osaka 2025 in Japan, and the Gulf-European Business Forum.

Its efforts also include participation in high-level international platforms and signing strategic memoranda of understanding with global partners, including the Ministry of Investment of the United Arab Emirates, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Kuwaiti centers such as InvestHK and HKTDC, as well as investment offices in Turkey. Additionally, the Authority participates in the Kuwait-United Kingdom Joint Steering Committee and the Kuwait-United States Strategic Dialogue, and holds the presidency of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) for the period 2025–2027.

Regarding institutional excellence and digital transformation, the Authority trained more than 225 employees (82.11%) through fundamental investment and educational courses, and obtained ISO 10002 and ISO 27001 certifications to enhance service quality and data security. It is also transitioning to an AI-supported, cloud-based operational model.

This transformation aims to enhance the investor experience through digital platforms, develop cybersecurity frameworks, and provide data-driven decisions and services.

In the field of sustainability, the Authority is directing investment toward sustainable and diversified economic growth by encouraging investments that support innovation, resilience, and national capacity building. It supports initiatives aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards across sectors, reinforcing Kuwait’s transition toward a diversified and future-ready economy.

The report concluded that Kuwait seeks to consolidate its position as a market where investment extends beyond mere entry, encompassing effective integration, sustainable growth, and genuine economic value creation.