11 November 2015: Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), driven by its core mandate to promote Kuwait as an investment location utilizing available communications and marketing means, co-organized its first external promotional activity “Kuwait Investment Outreach: a Business & Investment Forum” in London, UK, in cooperation with the media global agency Peninsula Press (PP). The conference held on November 3, 2015, under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammad Abdallah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, who provided a recorded speech in his opening remarks, focusing on the strength of historical Kuwait-British bilateral relations, the need to attract an increasing share of FDI to achieve economic diversity and sustainable growth and development in Kuwait. KDIPA was keen to ensure a diversified Kuwaiti presentation in the conference agenda, bringing together prominent speakers from both public and private sectors as well as the civil society organizations. Around 150 attended the conference including high-ranking officials, as well as Kuwaiti and British businesspersons, along with experts form several specialized organizations. KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, headed a delegation composed of Sheikh Abdallah Sabah Al Sabah, Head of Licensing & Investment Registry, Mr. Bader Al Jadi, Head of Investment Promotion, and Ms Mona Al Ben Ali, Public Services & Tenders. In his opening speech, KDIPA’s Director General presented the unique attributes of Kuwait as a promising investment destination; highlighted the incentives and exemptions under the new investment Law No. 116 of 2013; indicated how KDIPA succeeded in attracting more than US$ 1.2 billion direct investment by global companies like IBM, Huawei, and GE since it launched its operations in December 2014; and concluded by welcoming British businesses to invest in Kuwait and take part in the current lucrative opportunities. He presided over the first panel entitled “A new business environment in Kuwait”, with participants from the Kuwaiti private sector. The other four panels covered the topics of Entrepreneurship; Education, innovation & excellence; Alliances for the Future; and Kuwait mega-projects in the context of the second Development Plan. There were also four complementary Bonus Breakout Sessions covered the topics of combating corruption in Kuwait; STI in entrepreneurship; the Technology’s contribution to the Development Plan; and the experience of a Kuwaiti entrepreneur. The conference also included three keynote speakers: UK Minister of State for Trade & Investment; the Co-chair of UK-Kuwait Business Council; and the Director General of Dasman Diabetes Institute. Sheikha Intisar Al –Sabah provided the closing remakes reiterating the need for enhanced bilateral cooperation and sending a positive message of optimism and innovation. A copy of the Special Report on “Kuwait: A Quest for Diversity”, published in the Foreign Policy (FP) Magazine September/October 2015 issue, was distributed. KDIPA would like tot take this opportuntiy to extend its tahnks to the co-organizor, and its deep appreciation to all the speakers and participants in this conference. Special thanks are also extended to H.E. Khalid Al Dwaisan, Kuwait Ambassador the the United Kingdom, and the embassy staff, for their valued cooperaiton which contirbuted to make this event a success.
For more details on Outreach event: http://www.peninsula-press.com/investment-outreach/kuwait-investment-outreach-2015/
For a copy of the Special Report:http://www.peninsula-press.com/REPORTS/PP&FP-Kuwait%20report_Oct21.pdf
