- Exhibition licenses in Kuwait rose significantly during the first half of 2026, reaching 355, up by 122 licenses or 52.3 percent compared with 233 during the same period last year.
Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry shows 331 licenses were issued for temporary trade fairs, compared with 218 in the first half of 2025, an increase of 51.8 percent.
Licenses for gold and jewelry exhibitions also increased to 24 from 15, recording growth of 60 percent. However, the number of licenses fell sharply in June, dropping 76.6 percent from 120 in May to 28.
The decline was mainly due to an 80.6 percent drop in licenses for trade fairs, which fell by 96 to 23 exhibitions in June. At the same time, licenses for gold and jewelry exhibitions rose by 400 percent, reaching five compared with one in May.
The month of May recorded the highest number of exhibition licenses during the first half of the year, with 120. It was followed by February with 98, January with 92, June with 28 and March with 13. April recorded the lowest number, with only four licenses issued.
Exhibitions held in Kuwait cover a wide range of sectors, including real estate, services, finance, consumer goods, cars, gold and perfumes.
Events held since the beginning of the year have attracted significant attendance and purchasing activity, reflecting continued local demand and purchasing power, particularly during seasonal periods and social occasions.
