Kuwait
March 5, 2000
Population:2.34 million (1998)Religions:85% Muslim (Shi'ite 30%, Sunni 45%, Other 10%) Christian, Hindu, Parsi and other 15% .Government:Constitutional MonarchyLanguages:Arabic (English is widely spok
March 2, 2000
The government encourages foreign investment, particularly joint ventures with Qataris. As long as a company has a local agent or sponsor, Qatari law permits fully foreign-owned companies. Foreign-own
March 1, 2000
The Gulf War resulted in serious environmental damage. Iraq’s mass destruction of oil wells, the huge oil spills caused by allied air strikes and the use of heavy tracked vehicles in the desert by bot
Kuwaiti nationals have the right to join and to establish unions. Expatriate workers are allowed to join unions after a five-year residency term but only as non-voting members. Kuwaiti law forbids the
February 28, 2000
Tax BasisThere is no tax liability imposed on individuals and wholly owned Kuwaiti businesses. Tax is imposed only on foreign corporate bodies, including foreign partnerships, that conduct business in
In April 1998, Kuwait was placed on USTR's Priority Watch List. In 1999, new copyright and patent protection laws were passed that greatly improve the situation. During the first half of 1999, the Min
Foreign CurrencyThere are normally no foreign exchange restrictions in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti Dinar is freely convertible for all current and capital account transactions. The exchange rate is calculated
Companies LawA new law permits for the first time majority foreign ownership of Kuwait-based firms. The new law still prohibits foreign investment in the upstream petroleum sector, but does allow in
Judiciary Common Courts SystemKuwait’s legal code is a combination of historical precedent, original legislation and a civil code drafted by jurists from various Arab countries. In 1960, Kuwait ado
Stock ExchangeAt the end of November 1999, the Kuwaiti bourse dropped to a record low of 1,388.6 points. During the first week of December, the stock exchange was at 1,409.3, 16 percent below the year
1999e19981997GDP (KD billion by current prices)7.7 9.2GDP Per Capita (US$)11,58412,15115,272GNP (KD billion by current prices)9.5 11.1Inflation0.9 0.150.66Government Spending as % of GDP 51.8 56.9 43
On May 4 1999, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, decided to adjourn his nation's Council (Parliament). While the motives behind this decision were debated, the event marked the first
February 17, 2000
Kuwait football fans can rest easy now that its team has secured its place in the Asian Nations Football Cup 2000 to be held in Lebanon. Al Azraq yes
February 15, 2000
The expected mauling turned into a "bloodbath" on Monday evening when the Kuwaiti football team punished Bhutan 20-0. While the actual score was sur
After placing second in a recent Asia/Oceania Zone III Davis Cup competition in Sri Lanka, which took place between February 7-13, the Kuwaiti nationa