Decree-Law to Combat Commercial Concealment: Imprisonment of up to 3 years and fines of up to 100,000 dinars

The Official Gazette of Kuwait published today, in its issue dated Sunday, August 9, 2026, Law-Decree No. 78 of 2026 concerning the Combating of Commercial Concealment, which stipulates that it is prohibited for any person, whether natural or legal, to engage in any economic activity within the State of Kuwait on their own behalf or in partnership with others, unless they hold the necessary license issued by the competent authority or do not exceed the scope of the granted license. Anyone who violates this prohibition shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than three years, and a fine of not less than 100,000 Kuwaiti dinars, or an amount equivalent to the profits obtained, whichever is greater, or with one of these two penalties. Fines shall be multiplied according to the number of violating persons or violating activities.