Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and The Business Year (TBY) co-hosted the second phase of Thought Leadership Circle: Reshaping the Digital Landscape. Bringing together a powerhouse lineup of public and private sector leaders to explore Kuwait’s ambition to position itself as a regional integrated hub for digital innovation and artificial intelligence. The event was held at The Chairman’s Club, KIPCO Tower, on December 1, 2025.
The event was headlined by His Excellency Omar Saud Alomar, Minister of State for Communication Affairs, who hosted the conversation. KDIPA was represented by Mr. Mohammed Yousef Mulla Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for Business Development, who gave the welcoming speech.
Key speakers included Dr.Khaled Mohammad Al-Zamel Chairman, CITRA, Eng. Abeer Al-Awadhi, Chief, Kuwait National Cyber Security Center; Eng. Muataz Al-Dharrab, CEO of stc Kuwait; Alaeddine Karim, Country General Manager, Microsoft Kuwait; Sheikh Ahmed Duaij Al-Sabah, Chairman, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Bader Al-Ghanim, VP & Managing Director, Talabat Kuwait; Fahad Al-Menayes, Acting CEO, International Turnkey Systems (its) and Sulaiman Al-Arouj, Executive Chairman, Empower State Holdings.
The event explored five strategic areas shaping Kuwait’s digital trajectory. It started with Foundations of a Regional Digital Hub: Discussions focused on integration of services, data, and infrastructure. The need for interoperable ecosystems and regulatory strategies to enable scalable digital growth. Investing in Talent and Ecosystems was also discussed with the goal of attracting global tech giants.
KDIPA was also represented by Mr. Ali Al-Khudhari, Director of Planning & Strategy Department, Sheikha Fatma Al-Sabah, Director of Public Relations & Media, Mrs. Shaikha Al-Hashem, Head of Planning and Development Section, Mr. Ali Ghareeb, Head of Investor Targets Section, Mr. Talal Al-Qaoud, Head of Media & Social Media Section, Mr. Bader Al-Neghaimshi, from Planning and Development Section, Mrs. Sarah Al-Qahtani. Media & Social Media Section, Ms. Ruba Al-Sulaiti, Media & Social Media Section, Mrs. Amna Al-Roumi, Investment Marketing Section.
