Latest Developments

Kuwait Cabinet approves and gazettes Decree-Law 94/2026 amending the Public Tenders Law

Decree-Law No. 94 of 2026, published in the official gazette Kuwait Alyoum on 27 September 2026, amends Law No. 49 of 2016 on public tenders — raising procurement thresholds, prohibiting local agents, introducing SME bid preference and local-content requirements, and establishing a Cabinet-level grievance committee. The amendment itself comes into force approximately three months after publication.

Kuwait issues Decree-Law 69/2026 restructuring Bankruptcy Court composition

Decree-Law No. 69 of 2026, signed 28 June 2026 and published in the Official Gazette Kuwait Al-Youm (Issue 1798) on 5 July 2026, amends Articles 4 and 7(1) of the Bankruptcy Law (Law No. 71 of 2020), restructuring the composition of Bankruptcy Court circuits to speed dispute resolution.

Kuwait completes KIPIC-into-KNPC merger

Kuwait's Oil Minister Tareq Al-Roumi announced on 1 July 2026 the completion of the merger dissolving Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) and fully merging it into Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), following Supreme Petroleum Council approval on 29 April 2026. KIPIC's legal personality was fully terminated; KNPC legally succeeded all of its assets, rights, obligations and liabilities.

KAPP launches IPO advisory tender for its 50% Umm Al Hayman stake

In February 2026, the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects launched a tender to select an advisory services consultant for offloading its 50% stake in the Umm Al Hayman wastewater company (245 million shares) via an Initial Public Offering.

ACWA Power-GIC consortium signs ECWPA for Az-Zour North Phase 2 & 3

In February 2026, ACWA Power and Gulf Investment Corporation signed the Energy Conversion and Water Purchase Agreement for the 2,700+MW Az-Zour North Phase 2 & 3 IWPP with Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy.

Kuwait signs $4.1bn EPC contract with CCCC for Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port

In December 2025, Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works and China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) signed a KD1.219 billion (~$4.1 billion) EPC contract for Phase One of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Boubyan Island, signed by Minister Dr. Noura Mohammed Al-Mashaan and CCCC Vice President Chen Zhong.

Kuwait amends Real Estate Ownership Law and issues implementing controls

Decree-Law No. 7 of 2025, issued 10 February 2025, expanded Kuwait's Real Estate Ownership Law to permit KDIPA-licensed entities, Kuwait Stock Exchange-listed companies, and licensed real estate funds/investment companies to own property. Decree No. 195 of 2025, issued in the same window, sets out the detailed implementing controls.

Kuwait signs GCC Railway design-consultancy contract with Proyapi Engineering

In January 2025, Kuwait's Minister of Public Works signed a KD2.5 million (~$8.1 million) consultancy contract with Turkish firm Proyapi Engineering and Consulting for the first phase of Kuwait's GCC Railway segment — design, engineering studies, soil testing, route mapping and tender-document preparation for the 111km Al-Shadadiya-to-Al-Nuwaiseeb line.

Kuwait issues Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax Law

Kuwait issued Decree by Law No. 157 of 2024 on 30 December 2024, introducing a 15% Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax on the Kuwait profits of large multinational enterprise groups, effective for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025.