The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has recorded a significant growth in inspection, licensing, compliance monitoring and precious metals oversight during May 2026, reflecting stronger regulatory activity across key economic sectors.
The Precious Metals Department collected 286,600 dinars in examination fees after inspecting millions of grams of gold, silver and gemstone products as part of efforts to ensure market transparency and compliance with quality standards.
During the month, authorities examined approximately 2.9 million grams of gold, along with large quantities of gold and silver items embedded with diamonds and precious stones, in addition to other precious and synthetic stones.
The ministry’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing teams also intensified supervision, conducting 341 medium-risk inspections in the jewelry, gemstones and precious metals sector, as well as 35 inspections covering real estate brokerage activities.
The Penalties and Sanctions Implementation Department took 58 regulatory actions, including compliance orders, written warnings and financial penalties totaling 25,200 dinars. Authorities also received 68 requests to appoint compliance monitors in sectors subject to enhanced oversight.
The Kuwait Business Center recorded continued momentum in company formation and licensing activity, with 1,699 partnership applications approved during May 2026.
The ministry issued thousands of business-related licenses, including 3,561 partnership licenses, 850 freelance licenses, and 872 other commercial licenses.
In the commercial licensing sector, authorities processed hundreds of transactions involving new licenses, renewals and cancellations, reflecting ongoing movement among businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Department reported 1,547 violation cases during May, alongside more than 5,700 complaints received through in-person and electronic channels.
Inspectors also closed 19 non-compliant establishments as part of continued efforts to strengthen consumer protection and ensure adherence to commercial regulations.
Kuwait’s trademark sector remained active, with 926 trademark registration applications submitted during the month, while hundreds of registration, publication and renewal transactions were completed.
The ministry also issued 1,533 non-oil certificates of origin valued at 23.9 million dinars, with GCC markets accounting for the largest share.
The ministry’s data showed that government support for basic food commodities reached 119.2 million dinars during the first five months of 2026, with food subsidies accounting for more than half of the total.
While spending on some categories, including construction materials, declined compared with the previous year, support for items such as infant formula increased.
The latest figures highlight the ministry’s dual role in supporting economic activity while strengthening regulatory controls, consumer protection and financial compliance across Kuwait’s commercial landscape.
