During the ‘Excellence Award’ ceremony, Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs and acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq delivered a speech that struck the core of the economic imperative of Kuwait -- establishing an advanced industrial sector to achieve revenue diversification. Delving into the same theme, acting Director General of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Shamlan Al-Juhaidli pointed out that around 120 factories are currently exporting national products. Although this figure is encouraging, it remains far below the country's true capability.
When Minister Al-Marzouq emphasized that “industry is the foundation of a diversified economy,” he accurately pinpointed the main issue. His message echoes the visionary words of the late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad, may God have mercy on him, who said in the early 1980s, “We want an industry that has neither sound nor smoke.” He was advocating for high-tech precision industries. Yet, more than 45 years later, when manufacturing throughout the globe advanced rapidly, Kuwait continues to lag, as it has yet to secure its place among the industrial nations.
To speak with absolute candor, Kuwait has all the essential ingredients for industrial success: ample land, capital, creative visionaries with transformative project ideas, and access to skilled labor from around the world. The missing element is neither resource availability nor talent, but decisive leaders capable of overcoming hesitation and moving beyond half-baked initiatives. Numerous restrictive policies have constrained not only the manufacturing sector, but also the broader scope of economic diversification.
This dampened enthusiasm for new industrial ventures, even though previous development strategies should have served as a foundation to establish a thousand factories and modern logistical infrastructure throughout Kuwait. Unlocking this potential necessitates pushing for progress through adaptable regulations that guarantee individual rights without applying a blanket rule to compliant businesses and violators. Infractions should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Indiscriminate enforcement causes widespread frustration and impedes overall economic development. Rather than penalizing law-abiding entities for the missteps of others, policies should actively support and motivate those operating on the right track.
The Kuwaiti financial institutions have more than KD70 billion (around $220 billion) in capital, which they intend to invest in industrial, agricultural and service sectors. The nation can spearhead an extensive industrial revival by granting entrepreneurs access to these funds through financing options. Supplemented by Kuwait Industrial Bank, this capital can empower innovative leaders who strive for excellence but need financial and institutional support. Initiating this industrial drive will stimulate activity in land, maritime and air transport sectors, while serving as an impetus to increase demand for essential public services. At its core, the issue stems from cumbersome and protracted procedures and flawed decision-making. While global development accelerates, outdated bureaucracy, lengthy paperwork and ill-advised—at times punitive—judicial seizures persist, leaving a sharp disconnect between public rhetoric and reality.
Both Professor Shamlan Al-Juhaidli, with his vast first-hand experience in local manufacturing, and Minister Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq, with his extensive background in administration and finance, are well positioned to drive national industrial growth with professionalism. An old adage says, “Every man to his trade.” The fundamental question remains: Will decisive action be taken to spur industrial progress by repealing obstructive regulations and genuinely committing to localizing vital industries? Regrettably, even basic items, such as tissue paper and cotton swabs, continue to be imported, and inquiries regarding this dependency yield inadequate explanations.
