Government Institutions

Kuwait is served by a variety of public authorities and there is also a wide range of public institutions which provide various services to citizens and residents.

Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK)

Acts as banker and financial advisor to the government, directs monetary and credit policies, supervises the banking system, as well as issuing and controlling the currency.

Government Audit Bureau

It is responsible for auditing the accounts of ministries and public establishments. The Bureau has wide powers of investigation and submits an annual report to the National Assembly and the Government.

Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI)

Maintains a comprehensive database on citizens and expatriates alike. PACI issues the civil ID card which must be carried by all residents.

Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)

Promotes applied research in areas closely connected with Kuwait's development needs.

It includes the National Scientific & Technical Information Centre (NSTIC) which supplies scientific data to public and private clients.

Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS)

It is a funding agency for the promotion and support of scientific research throughout the world.

It sponsors research in pure and applied sciences, engineering, health, food and socio-economic sciences worldwide and awards prizes for scientific achievements beneficial to Kuwait.

Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA)

It is the government's main investment agent both overseas and locally. It operates from the Ministries complex in Kuwait City but has several overseas offices, the KIO (Kuwait Investment Office in London being its main centre abroad. At present, KIA is administering the privatisation programme.

Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
Transmits to local and foreign subscribers in Arabic and English and exchange news with 30 international and regional news agencies. Its news gathering centre in Vienna transmits the news of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) in English to European countries.

Public Authority for Industry (PAI)
It is responsible for promoting and developing local industry. It also issues industrial licenses and supervises industrial activities.

Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs & Fish Resources (PAAAFR)
It has overall responsibility for the development of ranching, agriculture, horticulture, and fisheries in Kuwait, and provides financial and technical assistance to private companies.

Shuaiba Area Authority (SAA)
It administers Shuaiba Industrial Area and leases plots to factories and companies at nominal annual rents. The SAA's functions are being taken over by the PAI.

Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED)
It provides development loans to Arab and non-Arab lesser developed countries (LDCs) on a politically neutral basis, taking the social benefits of schemes into account. Loans are given without any linkage to exports from Kuwait or to opportunities for Kuwaiti contractors. KFAED also provides grants to enable LDCs to conduct feasibility studies for development projects and macro-economic planning and related activities, and contributes the Kuwaiti share of a number of multilateral institutions such as the Arab Fund for Economic Development and the African Development Bank.