Non-Government Official Organisations

There are several non-government organisations which greatly influence the country's political and business life. They advise the government on commercial matters, and have official and quasi-judicial roles in the organisation and control of business activities.

Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) is the main business organisation in Kuwait.

The KCCI has several semi-governmental roles:

  • All Kuwaiti & non-Kuwaiti agents, firms and businesses operating in Kuwait must be registered with the KCCI,

  • only KCCI members may obtain import licenses,

  • only KCCI members may bid for government contracts, and

  • agency agreements must be registered with the KCCI before they can be registered with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

The KCCI also has two semi-judicial roles:

  • It maintains an official court of arbitration for resolving business disputes, and

  • It is involved in standard setting and defining customary practices in commercial matters.

The KCCI must, by law, be consulted when legislation concerning industry. commerce and finance is being considered, and the Chamber has been very successful in representing the business communities views on matters affecting the economy. The KCCI publishes the Kuwaiti Economist, a widely read monthly magazine in Arabic, and pamphlets on local business regulations. It is active internationally and has strong links with Gulf, Arab, Islamic and International chambers of commerce.

Kuwait Society of Engineers

Kuwait Society of Engineers (KSE) is a club for engineers and architects, its main functions are:

  • advising the government on urban planning and architecture.

  • providing an arbitration service in disputes of a technical nature under construction contracts,

  • providing expert witnesses on construction matters in court cases,

  • organising seminars on engineering and architectural topics, and

  • organising architectural competitions.

Membership of the KSE is restricted to those with engineering or similar degrees, but is mandatory for persons taking up certain government appointments.