New Kuwait 2035: Capital Market and food safety reforms lead the way

• These integrated initiatives — spanning finance, food safety, environmental sustainability, and industrial expansion — reflect Kuwait’s accelerated march toward its 2035 Vision.
• Together, they support a diversified economy, stronger regulatory ecosystem, and more resilient national infrastructure designed for the challenges of the future.

As part of the ambitious “New Kuwait 2035” vision, a total of 18 strategic projects have been launched, each designed to transform Kuwait into a dynamic, innovation-driven, and investment-friendly economy.

The plan seeks to empower the private sector, streamline government procedures, promote fair competition, and integrate advanced technologies across all fields—laying the foundation for a future-ready nation.

Among the most impactful achievements to date is the Capital Market System Development Program, completed in 2025. This comprehensive initiative modernizes Kuwait’s capital market infrastructure, introducing global-standard systems such as the Central Counterparty (CCP), enhancing the operations of existing market entities, and improving trading, settlement, and clearing mechanisms.

These reforms aim to boost efficiency, reduce systemic risk, expand investment products—including derivatives—and attract a broader base of foreign and institutional investors, aligning Kuwait’s financial sector with the world’s best regulatory frameworks and market principles.

Another completed milestone is the Mobile Food Testing Laboratory Project, designed to safeguard public health and streamline the flow of perishable food imports at Kuwait International Airport. The project ensures rapid, accredited testing of perishable items using internationally recognized ISO 17025 standards.

It accelerates the release of more than 180,000 imported food consignments annually, prevents delays that hinder trade, reduces pressure on existing Ministry of Health laboratories, and provides traders with globally recognized testing certificates.

By adding new tests for viral, chemical, and radioactive contaminants that were previously unavailable, Kuwait strengthens its food safety system and enhances its reliability in regional and international markets.

Major Projects Underway

Significant progress is also being made on other key initiatives. The Specialized Facilities for Desert Development and Urban Research Project has reached 96% completion, with final delivery expected in 2027.

The project focuses on sustainable desert landscaping, biodiversity conservation, and urban greening using native and adaptive plants. It includes advanced research units, nurseries, and model gardens that support Kuwait’s environmental commitments while reducing water consumption and strengthening desert ecosystem management.

Another transformative undertaking is the development of Shaddadiya Industrial Area, which has achieved 89% completion and is on track for 2026. Spread across 5 square kilometers, the zone will provide over 1,000 industrial plots spanning chemical, food, textile, paper, wood, construction, and mineral industries.

It also includes three industrial waste treatment plants and a dedicated sewage treatment facility for recycled water usage—supporting sustainable industrial growth. The project aims to ease Kuwait’s chronic shortage of industrial land, attract modern industries, create high-quality jobs for Kuwaiti talent, and establish a safer and more efficient system for managing industrial waste.

These integrated initiatives — spanning finance, food safety, environmental sustainability, and industrial expansion — reflect Kuwait’s accelerated march toward its 2035 vision.

Together, they support a diversified economy, stronger regulatory ecosystem, and more resilient national infrastructure designed for the challenges of the future.