Finance Ministry offers 44 shops in Al-Mubarakiya exclusively to Kuwaitis with historical heritage

In line with its vision to revive heritage shops located within state-owned real estate assets, the Ministry of Finance is soon to open applications for the qualification of candidates seeking to operate 44 commercial units in the Al-Qibla area – Commercial Plot 7 – Al-Mubarakiya Market.

- This condition must be met from the date of initiating contracting procedures and throughout the duration of the lease agreement.

- The applicant must not have been previously convicted by a final judgment for a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or breach of trust, unless their reputation has been fully restored.

- There must be no ongoing legal dispute between the applicant and the Ministry of Finance arising from a previous contract related to the exploitation of state assets or from a breach of contractual or financial obligations toward the Ministry, unless such dispute has been resolved by a final judgment or an approved settlement.

- The applicant must have a genuine, documented historical connection to Al-Mubarakiya Market and its professional, craft, or commercial heritage. Supporting documents must be provided to substantiate this link, which may be established through various means, including but not limited to: demonstrating that the applicant or their family has been associated with the market across generations; showing that the applicant, an ancestor, or a family member practiced a craft, trade, or activity historically linked to the market; or proving ownership or operation of a shop or property within the market, even if such ownership or relationship ceased at a later date. Other evidence may include continued engagement in activities forming part of the market’s historical identity, or any other facts and documents demonstrating a genuine connection to the market.

- The applicant must express the intention to operate the unit in the same historical activity evidenced by the supporting documents, or in another historical activity among those specified.

- The applicant must pass the qualification process in accordance with the established standards and criteria. A Qualification Committee will be responsible for reviewing applications, verifying documents, assessing the historical, professional, craft, and commercial links, and ranking eligible candidates to achieve the project’s historical and heritage objectives.

The Ministry has set a deadline of one month from the date of this announcement for submission of applications.