No one disputes the state’s right to collect its dues, nor the right of ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to perform their responsibilities in this regard. However, this should not prevent facilitating matters for the public, particularly owners of industrial plots and others who have suffered significant losses in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent regional events that have negatively impacted all aspects of life.
Furthermore, widespread corruption in state institutions harmed commercial, service, and industrial activities. Arbitrary decisions and personal interests in dealing with industrial project owners have contributed to a decline in all activities, prompting many plot owners to delay fulfilling their obligations to the state. Kuwait has the potential to be competitive in industry and other sectors, but several constraints worsen the challenges.
These include bureaucratic procedures, lengthy paperwork, limited availability of industrial plots, weak government support, and recent decisions to withdraw plots from beneficiaries. These obstacles increase industrial costs and, in turn, place greater pressure on the state. Unlike other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Kuwait currently lacks sufficient incentives for investors. For example, Saudi Arabia offers a range of programs to support industrial growth, including financial subsidies, streamlined licensing processes, and extended payment periods.
The United Arab Emirates has supported its industrial sector by providing incentives through the “Operation 300 Billion” strategy, aiming to boost its contribution to GDP. Oman provides a wide range of incentives to attract industrial investments, while Bahrain and Qatar offer similar support. These countries strive to enhance competitiveness, promote sustainable economic growth, and create job opportunities for citizens. This approach in neighboring Gulf countries contrasts sharply with the situation in Kuwait, where decisions hinder development. As a result, commercial and industrial activity in Kuwait has been negatively impacted, leading to a decline in overall consumer spending.
Therefore, the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Finance, and Kuwait Municipality must work on promoting the industrial sector, which is the cornerstone of national development. True progress cannot be achieved without a thriving industrial sector. The responsibility now lies with Minister Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ajil, a businessman well aware of the important role of revitalizing various sectors to achieve the development goals set by the political leadership.
Owners of service and industrial projects carry substantial obligations to banks and other entities. The state should support them rather than abandon them. They need the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Public Authority for Industry to adopt a more flexible approach and avoid decisions that discourage investors. His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has directed officials and government institutions to open new investment pathways, and urged them to cooperate in creating more economic opportunities. It is therefore imperative that all parties work diligently to remove obstacles facing entrepreneurs and owners of industrial, service, and agricultural plots
