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Recent mandates, firm announcements, and news that matter to our clients and to the Kuwaiti legal market.

Kuwait Caps Delivery-Platform Commissions at 17% and Delivery Fees at One Dinar
MOCIDigital CommerceDelivery PlatformsConsumer Protection

Kuwait Caps Delivery-Platform Commissions at 17% and Delivery Fees at One Dinar

On 12 July 2026 the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1799( published Ministerial Decision No. 109 of 2026 of the Minister of Commerce and Industry, issuing the Regulation Organising the Sector of Intermediary Electronic Platforms and Applications for Displaying, Ordering and Delivering Products to Consumers. Signed on 8 July 2026, the Regulation implements Decree-Law No. 10 of 2026 on the Digital Commerce Sector and repeals the earlier restaurant-and-ready-food delivery regulation (Ministerial Decision No. 10 of 2026), widening the rules from food delivery to every intermediary platform. Scope. The Regulation applies to all intermediary electronic platforms operating in Kuwait that broker purchase orders between a merchant (the “client”) and consumers and coordinate delivery or collection of the order value, whatever the merchant’s activity, provided the merchant is licensed. Platforms that sell only their own products, without intermediating third-party goods, fall outside it. The centrepiece is Article 7. The total a platform may charge a merchant — commission plus any advertising, promotion, premium or paid placement, priority ranking, and the platform’s own delivery service — may not exceed 17% of the order value (before the delivery fee), per order; where the merchant delivers by its own means, the ceiling falls to 10%. A platform may not compel a merchant to use the platform’s delivery service, nor penalise self-delivery. The consumer alone bears the delivery fee, capped at one Kuwaiti dinar (KD 1) per order, with no additional charge under any name. Providers must reclassify their commercial-register activity to “Management of Delivery Services via Electronic Platforms” (international classification 532013) and bring existing merchant contracts into conformity before 1 September 2026 — except contracts already within the Article 7 ceiling, which may run to expiry. Providers must also observe the Competition Protection Agency’s guidance manual (Decision No. 1 of 2026) on prohibited practices, and face the penalties in Article 15. WEFAQ’s view: platforms and the restaurants, pharmacies and retailers that sell through them should re-paper their commercial agreements now. The 1 September deadline is short, and the commission and delivery-fee ceilings change the economics of every order. For more information, see our blog article , which offers a deeper analysis of this topic. This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.

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Kuwait's Competition Agency Clears Eight Cross-Border Deals in a Single Session
Kuwait Merger ControlCompetition Protection AgencyCross-border M&ARegulatory

Kuwait's Competition Agency Clears Eight Cross-Border Deals in a Single Session

On 5 July 2026 the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1798, pages 6 to 10 of the issue's second pagination sequence) published eight clearance decisions of the Board of Directors of the Competition Protection Agency (Decisions Nos. 67 to 74 of 2026). All eight were adopted at board meeting No. 114 held on 23 June 2026, signed on 28 June 2026, and approve economic concentrations under Law No. 72 of 2020 on the Protection of Competition and its Executive Regulations (Decision No. 14 of 2021). The cleared transactions are: · Decision 67/2026: Motion JV Co Limited's acquisition of 100% of Castrol Group Holdings Limited (file CPACNM000222026), the vehicle for Stonepeak's publicly reported 65/35 joint venture with bp over the Castrol lubricants business. · Decision 68/2026: Lin Yin International Investments Ltd, wholly owned by Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), acquiring 50% of Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing Ltd from Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (file CPACNM000252026). · Decision 69/2026: Kimberly-Clark Corporation's acquisition of all shares of Kenvue Inc. through the merger of Vista Sub 1 Inc. and Vista Sub 2 LLC with Kenvue (file CPACNM000142026). · Decision 70/2026: Prince Sub, owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation (USA), acquiring 100% of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (file CPACNM000172026). · Decision 71/2026: Volkswagen Finance Luxembourg S.A., through Europcar Holding Luxembourg S.A., acquiring a further 27% of Green Mobility Holding S.A., raising its stake to 93% and achieving sole control (file CPACNM000192026). · Decision 72/2026: East Gate Games Investment Company (Saudi Arabia) acquiring 100% of Moonton Holding Ltd (Cayman Islands) and 100% of Shanghai Muton Technology Co. from ByteDance Ltd (file CPACNM000202026). · Decision 73/2026: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), through DAE Aircam Designated Activity Company, acquiring all shares of Macquarie AirFinance Ltd (file CPACNM000212026). · Decision 74/2026: Turkish Airlines (Türkiye) acquiring 26.95% of Air Europa Holding (Spain) (file CPACNM000242026). All eight approvals were published without conditions. None of the target businesses is incorporated in Kuwait: the batch confirms the Agency's steady throughput on foreign-to-foreign transactions that meet the Kuwaiti filing thresholds. WEFAQ's view : parties to international M&A with sales into Kuwait should treat a Kuwaiti filing as a standing item on the global merger-control checklist, not an afterthought. Source: Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1798, pages 6 to 10 (second pagination sequence), dated 5 July 2026 (Decisions Nos. 67 to 74 of 2026, signed 28 June 2026). This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.

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Kuwait's CMA Unveils “Additional Financial Services”: Margin-Trading Regime, Interest-Bearing Client Cash and an Inducements Ban
CMAMargin TradingClient Money RulesCapital Markets

Kuwait's CMA Unveils “Additional Financial Services”: Margin-Trading Regime, Interest-Bearing Client Cash and an Inducements Ban

On 5 July 2026 the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1798, pages أ40 onward) published Capital Markets Authority Board of Commissioners Resolution No. 85 of 2026 on “Additional Financial Services,” signed by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Emad Ahmed Tayfoun, on 25 June 2026. The resolution amends Annex No. 4 (the schedule of Authority service fees) of Book Two, together with Book Seven (Client Money and Assets), Book Eight (Business Conduct) and Book Eleven (Dealing in Securities) of the Executive Regulations of Law No. 7 of 2010. The resolution delivers three reforms. A new Article 1-2-2 of Book Seven lets a licensed person deposit a client’s trading cash into interest- or profit-bearing accounts at locally licensed banks—subject to the client’s prior consent, full segregation, periodic return statements and liquidity sufficient for immediate repayment. A new Article 6-1 of Book Eight bars brokers and their staff from paying or receiving inducements to or from clients, save for symbolic gifts, genuine service costs and regulated brokerage discounts. Book Eleven then codifies a prudential margin-trading regime. Under that regime, the initial margin must be at least 50% and the maintenance margin at least 25% of the market value of the financed securities; financing is capped at 25% of the service’s funds per security and 10% per client; providers must run Ci-Net creditworthiness checks and report weekly to the CMA on the ratios and to the Central Bank of Kuwait on client credit. On default, the provider may sell the pledged securities without being bound by Articles 231 to 233 of the Commercial Law. The Book Eleven margin-trading amendments took effect on the resolution’s issuance (25 June 2026); the remaining amendments apply once the CMA issues its new commissions-and-fees structure. WEFAQ’s view : brokers and investment firms should refresh client agreements, client-money segregation controls and regulatory-reporting pipelines now, ahead of the new fee structure. Source: Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1798, pages أ40–أ46, dated 5 July 2026 (Resolution No. 85 of 2026 signed 25 June 2026). This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.

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Kuwait Issues Four Decree-Laws Reshaping the Composition of Its Specialized Courts
Specialized CourtsBankruptcy LawCapital Markets AuthorityDispute Resolution

Kuwait Issues Four Decree-Laws Reshaping the Composition of Its Specialized Courts

On 5 July 2026 the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1798) published four decree-laws, Nos. 68 to 71 of 2026, all signed on 28 June 2026, that recalibrate how Kuwait's specialized judicial circuits are staffed. The common thread is a relaxation of the judicial-grade thresholds that had constrained the formation of these circuits, so that a court's General Assembly can complete their composition and dispose of cases without avoidable delay. Decree-Law No. 68 of 2026 amends the first paragraph of Article 297 of the Civil and Commercial Procedure Code (issued by Decree-Law No. 38 of 1980). The power to issue a travel-ban order against a debtor, previously confined to the deputies of the court, may now be assigned to any Court of First Instance judge selected by its General Assembly, curing delays caused by the scarcity of judges at deputy grade. Decree-Law No. 69 of 2026 amends Articles 4 and 7(1) of the Bankruptcy Law (Law No. 71 of 2020). Each circuit of the Bankruptcy Court may now comprise three judges chosen by the General Assembly, provided the circuit president is of at least court-deputy grade, and the Bankruptcy Administration may be headed by a judge of court-deputy grade, assisted by auditors drawn from the register held by the Capital Markets Authority. Decree-Law No. 71 of 2026 amends items (1) and (2) of Article 108 of the Capital Markets Authority Law (Law No. 7 of 2010), lowering the required grade of one member of the Capital Markets Court's criminal and non-criminal circuits from counsellor to court-deputy. Decree-Law No. 70 of 2026 applies the same change to the juvenile court under the Juveniles Law (Law No. 111 of 2015). WEFAQ's view: decoupling circuit membership from narrow grade requirements should shorten the time needed to constitute bankruptcy and capital-markets benches, a practical gain for creditors, issuers, and litigants awaiting a hearing date. For more information, see our blog article , which offers a deeper analysis of this topic. Source: Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1798, pages أ٢ to أ٦, dated 5 July 2026 (decree-laws signed 28 June 2026). This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.

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Kuwait's iFSAH System Becomes the Sole Disclosure-Filing Channel: CMA Circular No. 11 of 2026
iFSAHCMACapital MarketsXBRL

Kuwait's iFSAH System Becomes the Sole Disclosure-Filing Channel: CMA Circular No. 11 of 2026

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has set 1 July 2026 as the date from which regulated entities must file all disclosures through its electronic disclosure system. CMA Circular No. 11 of 2026, published via Boursa Kuwait, is addressed to all listed companies, licensed persons, collective investment schemes and investment funds under liquidation, auditors registered with the CMA, and market participants, and concerns the mechanism for submitting disclosures effective from 1 July 2026. The circular closes the transitional period for the legacy Boursa Kuwait disclosure route (the CIP-based channel), whose extended operating window ran to 1 July 2026. From that date, financial and non-financial disclosures are submitted through the CMA's XBRL-based “iFSAH” system, which has been the mandatory platform since 5 January 2025 and routes filings through dedicated gateways for financial statements, capital adequacy, general assemblies, and market disclosures. The change is procedural in form but market-wide in reach: every issuer, licensed firm, fund and registered auditor files through the same tagged-data platform. The disclosure obligations themselves continue to flow from the Capital Markets Law No. 7 of 2010 and its Executive Regulations; the circular fixes how, not whether, those disclosures reach the regulator. WEFAQ's view: entities still filing through the legacy channel should confirm iFSAH registration, user permissions and XBRL-tagging readiness now, because a first post-cutover filing that misses a periodic deadline carries the same consequences as any late disclosure. Source: CMA Circular No. 11 of 2026 (Boursa Kuwait, CMA Decisions & Circulars); CMA iFSAH electronic disclosure framework. Governing law: Capital Markets Law No. 7 of 2010 and its Executive Regulations.

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Kuwait's Competition Agency Publishes Respighi BidCo / Recordati Merger Filing; 15-Day Objection Window Opens
Merger ControlCompetition/AntitrustCross-border M&ARegulatory

Kuwait's Competition Agency Publishes Respighi BidCo / Recordati Merger Filing; 15-Day Objection Window Opens

On 28 June 2026, Kuwait's Competition Protection Agency (CPA) published, in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1797, page 216), an economic-concentration application notifying the proposed acquisition by Respighi BidCo S.p.A. (Italy) of the entire share capital of Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica S.p.A. (Italy). Publication opens the statutory window for any interested party to lodge a reasoned objection. Recordati is the Milan-listed pharmaceutical group active in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of medicines; Respighi BidCo is a special-purpose vehicle. Under publicly announced terms, Respighi BidCo is the bid vehicle for a consortium led by CVC Capital Partners and Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL), with funds connected to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and with Recordati's chairman expected to roll over his stake. The consortium has launched a voluntary tender offer for 100% of Recordati's ordinary shares at around EUR 52 per share, valuing the company at approximately EUR 10.7 billion, and intends to delist it from Euronext Milan. The filing is made under Law No. 72 of 2020 on the Protection of Competition and Article 83 of its Executive Regulations (issued by Resolution No. 14 of 2021, as amended). Under Article 83, any person with an interest may submit a reasoned objection to an economic-concentration application within 15 days of the date of notification or publication, here on or before approximately 13 July 2026. Objections are filed at the Agency's headquarters (Burj Al-Hamra, 14th floor) using the form available on its website, against payment of the prescribed fee. The notice is a clear illustration of the extraterritorial reach of Kuwait's merger-control regime: a transaction between two Italian companies, with no Kuwaiti party on either side, nonetheless requires a Kuwaiti economic-concentration filing because the parties' activities meet the local notification thresholds through their connection to the Kuwaiti market. Recordati's medicines are distributed across the GCC, including Kuwait. WEFAQ's view: International dealmakers should test for a Kuwaiti filing at the outset of any transaction with a Kuwaiti nexus; the law requires the application to be made within 60 days of the relevant agreement. Kuwaiti competitors, distributors and customers who may be affected have only 15 days from publication to lodge a reasoned objection, and should act now if they wish to be heard.

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Kuwait Overhauls the KPC Law and Bans Local Agents on Its Contracts: Decree-Law No. 67 of 2026
KPCLocal AgentsOil & GasSupreme Petroleum Council

Kuwait Overhauls the KPC Law and Bans Local Agents on Its Contracts: Decree-Law No. 67 of 2026

On 28 June 2026, Kuwait's Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm), Issue 1797, published Decree-Law No. 67 of 2026, amending Decree-Law No. 6 of 1980 establishing the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), as amended by Law No. 54 of 1982. It replaces the texts of Articles 1, 3, 5, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 22, and took effect on publication. The most consequential change is a new Article 18, which prohibits the use of a local agent or a commission agent to contract with KPC or its wholly-owned companies, in any form whatsoever, at both the conclusion and the performance of the contract. Suppliers and intermediaries that have relied on local-agent or success-fee arrangements to win KPC-group work can no longer do so lawfully. The explanatory memorandum frames the change as a cost measure, intended to remove from KPC and its wholly-owned companies the financial burden of a mandatory intermediary. The ban accompanies a wider grant of commercial autonomy. Article 1 restates KPC as a public institution of an economic nature managed on commercial bases under the Minister of Oil. Article 5 confirms powers to incorporate wholly-owned joint-stock companies, restructure and merge subsidiaries, borrow and issue bonds in local and foreign markets, with financing subject to Supreme Petroleum Council approval. Article 22 removes KPC from the prior-control regimes of the Audit Bureau (Law 30/1964), Law 66/1998 and the Financial Controllers Authority (Law 23/2015). On governance, Article 14 lets the Board, chaired by the Minister of Oil, set the rules for tendering and awarding the contracts of KPC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries that fall outside Public Tenders Law No. 49 of 2016, while Article 13 introduces a Chief Executive Officer, appointed by decree for a renewable four-year term, as Vice Chairman. Article 16 reserves strategy, capital changes and budget approval to the Supreme Petroleum Council. WEFAQ's view: vendors and agents should review every KPC-facing engagement against Article 18 now, because a prohibited arrangement is exposed to being void; KPC-group counterparties and their lenders should confirm which approvals now sit with the Board and which remain with the Supreme Petroleum Council. Source: Decree-Law No. 67 of 2026, Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm) Issue 1797, dated 28 June 2026. Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.

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Kuwait Gazettes Its ETF Rules: CMA Decision No. 80 of 2026 Now in Force
ETFsCMACapital MarketsAsset Management

Kuwait Gazettes Its ETF Rules: CMA Decision No. 80 of 2026 Now in Force

The Capital Markets Authority's exchange-traded fund (ETF) regime is now formally on the statute book. CMA Decision No. 80 of 2026, amending the Executive Regulations of Law No. 7 of 2010 (the Capital Markets Law), was published in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm), Issue 1796, pages 20 to 27, on 21 June 2026. The Decision was adopted by the CMA Board of Commissioners at its meeting No. 25 of 2026 on 17 June 2026. The published text confirms changes across four Books of the Executive Regulations. Book 1 adds two defined terms: the "exchange-traded fund," an open-ended listed fund that tracks an index of securities on Boursa Kuwait or a foreign exchange, or a commodity index; and the "subscription authorized participant" (mufawwad al-ishtirak), a licensed market maker or qualified broker that creates and redeems fund units. Book 5 revises the market-maker registration conditions, deleting the prior three-month listing seasoning requirement and capping registered market makers at five per security unless the CMA approves more. Book 12 lets a fund established outside Kuwait that is CMA-licensed to market its units locally apply to list, and to combine that application with its marketing licence. Book 13 requires every ETF to appoint a subscription authorized participant and a market maker in addition to the standard service providers, sets end-of-trading-day valuation, and adds a dedicated ETF investment-controls annex covering index selection, feeder ETFs, non-Kuwaiti ETFs and monthly disclosure. Article 2 updates the CMA service-fee schedule in Book 2. WEFAQ's view: with the text now public and Boursa Kuwait ready to receive listings, sponsors and liquidity providers should map their operating models against the specific articles, not the summary, before filing. Source: CMA Decision No. 80 of 2026, Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm) Issue 1796, pages 20 to 27, 21 June 2026. Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ L

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Kuwait's Competition Agency Publishes Two Cross-Border Merger Filings; 15-Day Objection Window Opens
Kuwait merger controlCompetition Protection Agencyeconomic concentration

Kuwait's Competition Agency Publishes Two Cross-Border Merger Filings; 15-Day Objection Window Opens

On 21 June 2026, Kuwait's Competition Protection Agency published two economic-concentration applications in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1796, pages 176-177), opening the statutory window for any interested party to object. The first application concerns Sika AG (Switzerland), the global construction-chemicals group, which seeks clearance to acquire 100% of the share capital of three Turkish companies — Akim AYB Kimya San. ve Tic. (an industrial and commercial joint-stock company), Akdi Kimya, and Akim Europe S.à r.l. (wholly owned by Atlas Global YPI). Together these entities form the Akkim adhesives-and-sealants group, whose acquisition Sika announced publicly on 13 February 2026, with closing expected in the third quarter of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals. Sika has operated in Kuwait for decades through Sika Kuwait for Construction Materials & Paints W.L.L. The second application concerns Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG (Germany), acting indirectly through its Luxembourg subsidiary Porsche Investments Management 1 S.à r.l., which seeks clearance to acquire 50% of the shares of KS Huayu AluTec GmbH (Germany), a manufacturer of aluminium castings. On completion, the target would fall under the joint control of the Porsche (Luxembourg) vehicle and Rheinmetall Asset Management Three GmbH (Germany). Both filings are made under Law No. 72 of 2020 on the Protection of Competition and Article 83 of its Executive Regulations (issued by Decision No. 14 of 2021, as amended). Under that article, any person with an interest may submit a reasoned objection to an economic-concentration application within 15 days of the date of notification or publication — here, on or before approximately 6 July 2026. Objections are filed at the Agency's headquarters (Burj Al-Hamra, 14th floor) using the form available on its website, against payment of the prescribed fee. The two notices illustrate the reach of Kuwait's merger-control regime over foreign-to-foreign transactions whenever the parties meet the applicable turnover thresholds through activity connected to the Kuwaiti market.

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Kuwait's CMA Approves Regulatory Framework for Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
ETFsAsset ManagementCapital Markets

Kuwait's CMA Approves Regulatory Framework for Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved a regulatory and legislative framework for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), clearing the way for the first ETF listings on Boursa Kuwait. Issued as CMA Resolution No. 80 of 2026 on Thursday 18 June 2026, the framework amends the Executive Regulations of Law No. 7 of 2010 (the Capital Markets Law), including Book 13 on Collective Investment Systems and the Book 12 listing rules, together with corresponding changes to the Boursa Kuwait and Central Depository rules. Boursa Kuwait described the approval as a pivotal milestone in modernising the country's capital markets, noting that the introduction of ETFs forms part of the second stage of the third phase of its Market Development Programme. The exchange said it would issue further amendments to its rulebook to accommodate the listing and trading of ETF products, and would coordinate clearing and settlement with Kuwait Clearing Company. The decision follows the launch of bonds and sukuk trading in April 2026 and is intended to broaden the range of investment products available to local and international investors. Following the decision, Boursa Kuwait Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al-Osaimi said on 20 June that testing with market participants had confirmed the readiness of the trading infrastructure: “The exchange is now ready to receive listing requests and facilitate the trading of exchange-traded funds, ensuring a stable launch of this investment instrument in the Kuwaiti market.” Officials said the achievement reflects close coordination between the CMA, Boursa Kuwait and Kuwait Clearing Company, and supports the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035 by enhancing market competitiveness and attracting foreign investment. For asset managers and issuers, the framework opens a first-mover opportunity to structure, license and list ETF products. WEFAQ advises fund sponsors and issuers on fund formation, listing-rule compliance, market-making and authorised-participant arrangements, custody and disclosure requirements under the amended regime. For a deeper look , the legal architecture, a seven-step listing roadmap, and the key risks for first movers, read our full analysis: Kuwait Opens the Door to ETFs: A Practical Roadmap for Asset Managers and Issuers . Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.

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WEFAQ Law Firm Shortlisted in Three Categories at the 2026 LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards — Third Consecutive Year
Firm NewsAwardsRecognitionLexisNexisWEFAQ

WEFAQ Law Firm Shortlisted in Three Categories at the 2026 LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards — Third Consecutive Year

WEFAQ Law Firm has been shortlisted in three categories at the 2026 LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards, marking the third consecutive year the firm has been recognised by the region's premier legal awards programme. In the 2026 shortlist announced by LexisNexis Middle East, WEFAQ is named in: · Law Firm of the Year – Kuwait · Law Firm of the Year – GCC · Managing Partner of the Year — Bader Alqellaish, the firm's Founder and Managing Partner The recognition extends WEFAQ's run of shortlistings in 2024 and 2025. This year marks the firm's first shortlisting in the Managing Partner of the Year category, and an increase from two categories in 2025 to three in 2026 — with WEFAQ retaining its place among the finalists for both Law Firm of the Year – Kuwait and Law Firm of the Year – GCC. The LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards recognise excellence, leadership, and innovation across the region's legal sector. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 24 September 2026 in Dubai. WEFAQ Law Firm is a full-service Kuwaiti law firm advising on corporate and commercial, litigation and arbitration, banking, finance and regulatory, and real estate and construction matters, serving clients in Kuwait، across the GCC and the world. Learn more at wefaqlaw.com .

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Kuwait Introduces 15-Year Investor Residency Under Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026
Foreign Direct InvestmentInvestor ResidencyKDIPAResidency LawDoing Business in Kuwait

Kuwait Introduces 15-Year Investor Residency Under Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026

Kuwait has established a long-term residency pathway for foreign investors. The Council of Ministers issued Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026, published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, which authorises the General Directorate of Residency Affairs at the Ministry of Interior to grant an “Investor Residency” permit valid for up to 15 years upon referral from the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). The measure was adopted under Law No. 116 of 2013 on the Promotion of Direct Investment. Eligibility extends to owners of the investment entity, partners, and directors and senior managers holding KDIPA-approved positions, together with their immediate family members. To qualify, the total investment volume must be no less than KD 5 million and the entity’s capital at least KD 1 million. On process, KDIPA reviews each application and must issue a decision within five working days of receiving a complete file. An applicant’s failure to provide requested information within 30 days results in automatic rejection. Renewal applications must be filed at least 60 days before expiry and remain contingent on the entity’s continued operation and ongoing legal, financial and regulatory compliance. The framework aims to strengthen foreign direct investment and support economic diversification under New Kuwait 2035, aligning investor residency with the long operational horizons of major KDIPA-licensed projects — bringing Kuwait into line with GCC peers that use long-term residency to attract capital. WEFAQ’s view: the resolution places KDIPA at the centre of both the licensing and residency tracks, so investors should plan the two workstreams together from the outset.

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Countdown to 30 June: First-Market Issuers Face Kuwait's First Mandatory Sustainability-Reporting Deadline
ESGSustainability ReportingDisclosureCMABoursa Kuwait

Countdown to 30 June: First-Market Issuers Face Kuwait's First Mandatory Sustainability-Reporting Deadline

With less than three weeks remaining, companies listed on the First Market of Boursa Kuwait are approaching the deadline for Kuwait's first cycle of mandatory sustainability (ESG) reporting. Under Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Circular No. 4 of 2025, every First-Market issuer must prepare and publish an annual sustainability report covering financial year 2025, posted on the Exchange's website no later than the end of the second quarter of the issuer's financial year — 30 June 2026 for the December year-end majority. The obligation rests on Article (1-17-4) of Book Twelve (Listing Rules) of the Executive Regulations of Law No. 7 of 2010, read together with Article (1-8), which empowers the Exchange to set the form and content of the disclosure. Boursa Kuwait has issued its updated 2026 ESG Disclosure Guide, aligning the local framework with the IFRS Foundation's ISSB standards (IFRS S1 and IFRS S2) and expanding the indicator set to approximately 30 ESG KPIs from FY2025 — including climate-scenario analysis, transition planning and Scope 3 emissions. The move from voluntary practice to a listing-rule obligation changes the legal character of the report. A sustainability report is now a regulated market disclosure: its statements — particularly forward-looking climate commitments — carry accuracy and liability considerations comparable to financial reporting. Issuers that have not yet finalised and obtained board approval for their reports have a narrow window in which to act, and should ensure the disclosure is reviewed for misstatement and greenwashing risk before publication. WEFAQ is advising listed clients on disclosure governance, board sign-off and the legal review of forward-looking ESG statements ahead of the deadline.

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Boursa Kuwait Confirms Bonds & Sukuk Platform Is Operationally Ready; First Listings Awaited
BondsIslamic FinanceCapital MarketsBoursa KuwaitSukuk

Boursa Kuwait Confirms Bonds & Sukuk Platform Is Operationally Ready; First Listings Awaited

Boursa Kuwait has confirmed that its dedicated bonds and sukuk trading platform is fully operationally and technically ready and is now able to receive listing applications, Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Saud Al-Osaimi announced. The milestone completes the rollout of the framework introduced by Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Resolution No. 38 of 2026, which for the first time permits Kuwaiti and foreign issuers to finance their operations through bonds or sukuk listed and traded on the local exchange. Resolution No. 38 of 2026 amends the Executive Bylaws of Law No. 7 of 2010 (the Capital Markets Authority law) and governs the full lifecycle of fixed-income instruments — from issuance and listing through daily trading to early redemption or maturity. Boursa Kuwait gave effect to the regime through its own Resolution No. 1 of 2026, which amended the exchange rulebook to add provisions specific to bonds and sukuk and to create a separate trading board with sessions tailored to fixed-income securities. Key listing conditions include a minimum issuance value of KD 100,000 (or its foreign-currency equivalent), a credit rating from a recognised agency, free tradability without restriction, the appointment of a body to represent and protect holders, and Sharia compliance for sukuk. The framework is intended to give issuers a funding alternative to bank borrowing and a more diversified investor base. The readiness confirmation follows an awareness session held by Boursa Kuwait on 9 June 2026 in collaboration with the CFA Institute and CFA Society Kuwait. No corporate issuance had been listed on the new board as at the date of this note; instruments will be admitted as and when applicants satisfy the regulatory requirements. Source: CMA Resolution No. 38 of 2026; Boursa Kuwait Resolution No. 1 of 2026. This note is general information, not legal advice. For advice on a specific issuance, contact WEFAQ Law Firm.

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KDIPA Suspends Foreign Investor's Licence Over Kuwaitisation Breach; Four Firms Hit in Two Weeks
KDIPAKuwaitisationRegulatory EnforcementComplianceForeign Investment

KDIPA Suspends Foreign Investor's Licence Over Kuwaitisation Breach; Four Firms Hit in Two Weeks

The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) has temporarily suspended the investment licence of a foreign power-sector investor for failing to meet the Kuwaiti-national workforce ratio attached to its licence — the latest in a wave of enforcement actions that has touched four foreign companies in roughly two weeks. The suspension was formalised by Ministerial Decision No. 207 of 2026, issued by the Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment in his capacity as Chairman of KDIPA, and published in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm), Issue No. 1793, dated 31 May 2026, at page 76. The decision names the investment entity “Shanghai Engineering Company for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Limited” (commercial licence 4728/2017; investment licence 24/2017-T1) and cites a breach of licence conditions for not employing the agreed number of national workers. The decision rests on follow-up and audit reports dated 23 December 2025 and 14 April 2026 and a KDIPA board resolution taken at its meeting No. 1/2026 on 16 April 2026. The entity has been ordered to submit proof that the violation has been remedied no later than 7 July 2026; failing which it becomes exposed to the more severe penalty under Article 32 of the Direct Investment Promotion Law No. 116 of 2013. Local press (Times Kuwait, 1 June 2026) reported that KDIPA had, in the same short window, cancelled the licences of three further foreign companies following similar compliance reviews — signalling a clear shift from incentive-led promotion toward active, audit-driven oversight that links investment privileges to measurable national-economy contribution, including Kuwaitisation and knowledge transfer. For foreign investors operating under a KDIPA licence, the message is direct: the national-workforce undertakings given at licensing are now being tested against audit evidence, and remediation windows are short. Affected entities should treat a suspension notice as a time-critical matter requiring an immediate compliance and representation strategy. Sources: Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1793, 31 May 2026, p.76 (Ministerial Decision No. 207/2026); Times Kuwait, “KDIPA suspends, delists four foreign companies within two weeks”, 1 June 2026.

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Kuwait's Supreme Petroleum Council Approves KIPIC–KNPC Merger by Absorption
Oil & GasMergers & AcquisitionsEnergyCorporate Restructuring

Kuwait's Supreme Petroleum Council Approves KIPIC–KNPC Merger by Absorption

Kuwait City — Kuwait's Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC) has approved the merger of Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) into Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), consolidating two downstream subsidiaries of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) into a single national refiner. The decision was taken at SPC Meeting No. 132 (2026/4) on 29 April 2026 and published in the official gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, at the end of May 2026. Under it, KIPIC ceases to exist as a separate legal entity and KNPC succeeds to all of KIPIC's assets, rights, obligations and liabilities by way of universal succession — a merger by absorption. To give effect to the merger, the SPC approved an increase in KNPC's capital equal to the book value of KIPIC's assets as at 31 March 2026, lifting KNPC's capital to approximately KD 2.63 billion (about US$8.5 billion). The plan provides for compensation of KIPIC's minority shareholders — other than KPC — based on an approved asset valuation, and for amendments to KNPC's articles of association to absorb KIPIC's refining, petrochemicals and LNG-import operations at Al-Zour. The Minister of Oil, in his capacity as KPC chairman, is authorized to set the effective date and oversee implementation, including the final termination of KIPIC's legal status. The consolidation is the most significant restructuring of Kuwait's downstream petroleum sector in years. It carries direct consequences for KIPIC's contractors, suppliers and counterparties, whose agreements, guarantees and disputes transfer to KNPC by operation of the merger. ► Source: Supreme Petroleum Council Decision, Meeting No. 132 (2026/4), 29 April 2026; published in Kuwait Al-Youm (late May 2026). Cross-referenced with Reuters/Zawya, Kuwait Times and AGBI reporting, June 2026. [Confirm exact gazette issue & page against the relevant Kuwait Al-Youm issue before citing in print.]

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Kuwait Competition Authority Publishes Merger Notice in Foxconn–Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Deal; 15-Day Objection Window Opens
Competition LawMerger ControlCPAMergers & AcquisitionsCross-border Transactions

Kuwait Competition Authority Publishes Merger Notice in Foxconn–Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Deal; 15-Day Objection Window Opens

Kuwait City — The Kuwait Competition Protection Authority (CPA) has published a notice of an economic concentration in the Official Gazette “Kuwait Al-Youm,” Issue No. 1793 (page 180), dated 31 May 2026, inviting any interested party to submit a reasoned objection within fifteen (15) days of publication. According to the notice, Lin Yin International Investments Ltd (Taiwan) — a company wholly owned by Hon Hai Precision Industry Ltd (Foxconn) — has applied for clearance to acquire 50% of the shares of Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing Ltd (Japan), currently held by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. The filing is made under Law No. 72 of 2020 on the Protection of Competition and Article 83 of its Executive Regulations issued by Resolution No. 14 of 2021 (as amended). The transaction forms part of a wider global arrangement announced in January 2026, under which Foxconn and Mitsubishi Fuso plan to establish a new Japan-based zero-emission bus manufacturer. Its appearance in Kuwait’s Gazette confirms that the parties’ activities meet the local notification thresholds — a reminder that Kuwait’s merger-control regime reaches global transactions with a Kuwaiti nexus. Under Article 83, “any interested party may submit a reasoned objection to the economic-concentration application within fifteen days from the date of notification or publication.” Objections are filed at the CPA’s headquarters, Al-Hamra Tower, 14th floor, using the form available on the Authority’s website and on payment of the prescribed fee. The notice lands shortly after the CPA raised its merger-control thresholds by Resolution No. 32 of 2026 (effective 5 April 2026), lifting the single-party Kuwait turnover threshold to KD 1.5 million. Businesses with sales or assets in Kuwait that are party to cross-border deals should assess, early in any transaction, whether a Kuwaiti filing is triggered — the law requires application within 60 days of the relevant agreement. Source: Kuwait Al-Youm, Issue 1793, page 180 (Competition Protection Authority notice), 31 May 2026.

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Comprehensive Overview of Kuwait's New Residency Law for Foreigners (Decree No. 114/2024)
Residency LawForeign ResidencyInvestor ResidencyProperty OwnershipImmigration

Comprehensive Overview of Kuwait's New Residency Law for Foreigners (Decree No. 114/2024)

On November 28, 2024 , Kuwait’s Amir issued Decree No. 114/2024 , introducing a modernized Residency Law for Foreigners. The law, consisting of 36 articles across seven chapters , replaces the outdated legislation from 1959. It aims to address current challenges, regulate residency practices, and attract investment while ensuring national security. Key Provisions of the Residency Law: 1. Entry and Exit Requirements: Article 1: Foreigners must possess a valid passport or equivalent travel document issued by their country of origin to enter or exit Kuwait. Citizens of GCC countries may enter with personal ID cards. Article 2: The Ministry of Interior determines the types of entry visas and the procedures for obtaining them. Article 3: Citizens of certain countries may be exempt from entry visas based on reciprocity agreements. Article 4: Entry and exit must occur through designated ports, following procedures set by the Ministry. Article 5: Transport operators, such as airline captains and shipmasters, must provide passenger lists and report any unauthorized passengers to the authorities. 2. Notification Requirements: Article 6: Births within Kuwait must be reported to authorities within four months. Newborns must obtain residency permits or leave the country. Article 7: Foreigners must report lost or damaged passports within two weeks. Article 8: Hotels and furnished apartments must inform authorities about foreign guests within 48 hours of their arrival or departure. 3. Residency Permits: Article 9: Foreigners intending to reside in Kuwait must obtain a residency permit from the Ministry of Interior. Article 10: Kuwaiti women can sponsor their non-Kuwaiti husbands and children for residency, provided they did not acquire Kuwaiti citizenship through marriage. Article 11: Visitors are allowed to stay for a maximum of three months under a visit visa, extendable only through a residency permit. Article 12: Temporary residency permits, lasting up to three months and renewable for one year, are available under specific conditions. Article 13: Regular residency permits are capped at five years. However: Children of Kuwaiti Women are eligible for permits up to 10 years. Property Owners can receive permits of up to 10 years. Investors are eligible for permits of up to 15 years. Importantly, Article 13 introduces residency rights for property owners, signaling a potential shift in Kuwait's policies. Although foreigners are currently prohibited from owning property in Kuwait, this provision suggests that reforms may be underway to allow foreign ownership in the future. Such a change would align with efforts to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic development. Article 14: Domestic workers receive residency permits matching their employment contracts. Upon contract termination, residency is canceled, requiring departure within a specified timeframe. Article 15: Government employees or private sector workers can obtain residency permits upon employer request. Article 16: Sponsors must notify authorities if a foreigner overstays their visa or residency. Article 17: The Ministry of Interior sets fees for residency permits and entry visas. Children of Kuwaiti women are exempt from these fees. 4. Employment and Residency Compliance: Article 18: Residency trafficking, including exploiting foreigners for financial gain, is strictly prohibited. Article 19: Foreigners cannot work for employers other than their sponsors, and sponsors cannot misuse their permits for unauthorized purposes. 5. Deportation Rules: Article 20: The Ministry of Interior can deport foreigners lacking legitimate sources of income or violating the law, following a specified grace period. Article 21-26: Deportation rules allow foreigners time to complete tasks beneficial to the state and outline conditions for their potential return to Kuwait. 6. Penalties for Violations: Article 27-28: Violators face penalties including imprisonment, fines, or both for breaches of the residency law. Repeat offenders and public officials involved in residency trafficking may receive harsher punishments. 7. Exemptions and Special Provisions: Heads of state, diplomats, and their families are exempt from this law. The Ministry of Interior retains the authority to issue regulations and exceptions as needed. Special Residency Provisions for Investors and Property Owners Investors: Eligible for long-term residency permits of up to 15 years, fostering a favorable investment climate. Property Owners: Entitled to permits lasting up to 10 years, respecting constitutional rights to private property ownership. Key Highlights for Foreigners: This law emphasizes transparency, fairness, and security, aiming to balance Kuwait’s national interests with the needs of its foreign residents and investors. The Ministry of Interior is responsible for issuing detailed regulations to facilitate the law's implementation within the next six months. This comprehensive overhaul is expected to have far-reaching impacts on expatriates, sponsors, and businesses in Kuwait. Compliance with the new residency rules is essential to avoid legal repercussions.

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