‘Rectify businesses or face KD 5,000 fine and closure’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 9: The Kuwait Municipality on Sunday affirmed that it fully supports economic activities through the recently launched ‘Get your business licensed through correct steps’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness among business owners about the need to comply with the regulations and meet the requirements to avoid violations and penalties, reports Al-Seyassah daily. In a press statement during the first field tour in the Capital Governorate, Advertising Supervisor at the Audit and Follow-up Department in the Capital Governorate branch of the Municipality Hamad Al-Nimran clarified that the campaign is not limited to commercial business licenses, as it also covers the craft, professional, investment and industrial activities. He underscored the need to fully abide by the regulations and laws to avoid hefty fines that could reach KD5,000 and other penalties such as closure of the business.

He said the field teams involved in this campaign are focusing on three types of violations -- opening a business without a license, adding unlicensed space, and adding or practicing an unlicensed activity without obtaining approval from the Municipality. He disclosed that the department conducts daily inspections of investment, commercial and industrial areas in the governorate to monitor and document violations, indicating that warnings are issued for minor infractions which do not warrant a citation. He urged the business owners to follow the official social media accounts of the Municipality to benefit from the awareness messages and guidelines that are published regularly, and to contact the Municipality for more information.