KUWAIT CITY, Aug 28: In a sweeping effort to modernize and invigorate its business landscape, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has issued over 23,000 licenses since the start of the year, including more than 4,200 for self-employment. The ministry unveiled a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at boosting economic growth, tightening regulatory oversight, and introducing innovative digital solutions designed to streamline commercial operations across the country.

Ministry spokesperson Abdullah Al-Harz detailed the ministry’s recent initiatives and achievements during a visual presentation. He said the total number of newly established agencies reached 959 during this period.

The Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Sector issued 5,741 seizure reports and recorded 316 license violations, resulting in 189 closures for regulatory breaches, Al-Harz added.

The International Relations Department issued 276 licenses for temporary trade fairs and 14 permits for gold and jewelry exhibitions. Certificates of origin issued worldwide totaled 15,615.

Al-Harz highlighted the Supply Centers Project, aimed at increasing Kuwait’s strategic emergency food storage capacity from one day to 14 days upon completion. The project will expand storage areas from 3,578 square meters to 37,500 square meters and replace 93 supply branches with 50 modern centers, each capable of serving up to 70,000 beneficiaries. These centers will range in size from 500 to 1,000 square meters.

He said land for the project will be allocated by the Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, with funding provided by the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Public Works and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare will implement and construct the centers.

Regarding the “Smart License” project, Al-Harz described it as a transformative step toward streamlining Kuwait’s business environment. The project introduces a unified digital license that integrates multiple commercial activity permits, expedites procedures, standardizes deadlines, and facilitates regulatory oversight.

Phases of the project involve merging licenses issued by multiple government bodies, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Kuwait Municipality, Public Fire Force, Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, Public Authority for Manpower, Ministry of Information, Communications and Information Technology Authority, Public Authority for Industry, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, Capital Markets Authority, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, and the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources.

The smart license covers activities such as general trade, retail, restaurants, media production, advertising, software, factories, hospitals, pharmacies, security companies, investment firms, schools, institutes, consumer cooperatives, and productive workshops. Nine government agencies have already joined the project.

Al-Harz noted that the registration rate for the actual beneficiary — the individual with ultimate control over a company — has reached 91 percent for valid licenses, covering personal and joint-stock companies as well as sole proprietorships.

He emphasized that these achievements and strategic projects reflect the ministry’s commitment to developing the business environment, enhancing oversight, protecting consumers, and supporting Kuwait’s national economy.