AGP Executive Report

Oil Sector: Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s workforce reached 7,634, with Kuwaitis making up 93.58%; KPC says it is expanding training as new hires are prepared to join the sector. Energy Projects: Kuwait has opened a public tender for a new sour-gas export pipeline, while Gulf Spic emerged as the lowest bidder for KOC booster-station upgrades. Trade and Logistics: FedEx has added road transport for eligible dangerous goods across Kuwait and four other GCC markets, serving sectors including healthcare, energy and petrochemicals. Kuwait-France Ties: President Emmanuel Macron’s visit included talks on expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation, alongside energy security. Agriculture: Kuwait’s agriculture minister says greater use of treated water by farmers could lift output.

Kuwait-France Business: President Emmanuel Macron’s visit opened talks on expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation, alongside energy security and keeping Hormuz shipping routes open. Market Oversight: A joint inspection campaign in Sabah Al-Salem issued 48 violation reports as authorities checked pricing, food information and consumer protections. Regional Logistics: FedEx added dangerous-goods road transport across Kuwait and four other GCC markets, serving sectors including healthcare, energy and petrochemicals. Power and Industry: Kuwait’s electricity ministry and the GCC grid authority discussed preparations for summer 2027, while KNPC and NCPI signed an agreement to localize MAN production. Agriculture: Farmers say wider use of treated water could increase output in areas such as Abdaly and Wafra, where irrigation supplies are limited.

Energy and Trade: French President Emmanuel Macron visits Kuwait today, with talks expected to cover energy, investment and defence as France seeks fuel supplies from the Gulf. Kuwait is also studying two oil-export pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, while Russia and Kuwait have called for de-escalation in the region. Aviation: Jazeera Airways has received the first A320neo in a 26-aircraft order; the plane uses about 20% less fuel per seat than the previous generation. Industry: Gulf Spic was named the lowest bidder for a KOC booster-station upgrade, while KNPC and NCPI signed an agreement to localize MAN production. Agriculture and Water: Farmers say access to treated water could lift output in Abdaly and Wafra, where irrigation is a persistent challenge. Kuwait Water Association also highlighted research and innovation as priorities for water security. Digital Economy: Kuwait is pushing for closer GCC cooperation on telecom and postal services, including secure digital infrastructure and lower roaming costs. Business Growth: NBK launched FoundHER to provide women entrepreneurs with training, mentorship and guidance on funding and growth.

Aviation: Jazeera Airways has received the first A320neo in its 26-aircraft order, launching a fleet expansion backed by Kuwaiti banks. The aircraft uses about 20% less fuel per seat than the previous generation. Water Security: The Kuwait Water Association highlighted research, innovation and international cooperation as priorities for strengthening the country’s water security. Petrochemicals: KNPC and National Chemical and Petroleum Industries signed an MoU to localize maleic anhydride production, supporting higher-value downstream manufacturing. Oil Infrastructure: Gulf Spic was the lowest bidder at KD41.2 million for upgrades to KOC’s BS-140 and BS-150 booster stations, including new dehydration facilities, pipelines and safety systems. Airport Services: CAPT opened three bids to operate and maintain Kuwait International Airport’s Terminal 2 and related facilities; PACA will review the proposals and submit technical recommendations.

Oilfield Projects: Gulf Spic was the lowest bidder at KD41.2 million for Kuwait Oil Company’s upgrade of booster stations BS-140 and BS-150, covering new dehydration units, pipelines and safety systems. Petrochemicals: KNPC and NCPI signed an MoU to localize production of maleic anhydride, aiming to turn local hydrocarbon resources into higher-value industrial products. Airport Services: CAPT opened three bids to operate and maintain Kuwait Airport’s new Terminal 2, which is designed for up to 25 million passengers a year; bids go to the civil aviation authority for technical review. Business Governance: Alghanim Industries named a new board chaired by Kutayba Alghanim to support governance and expansion. Health Services: Budgeted health-insurance revenue is forecast to rise to KD312 million from KD120 million, following implementation of insurance rules for foreign residents.

Energy and AI Infrastructure: A U.S.-Kuwait business roundtable is set to explore energy and infrastructure needs for data centres, including ways to turn waste heat into commercial value. Oil and Gas Projects: Kuwait is studying two oil export pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and has approved a sour-gas export pipeline tender; Gulf Spic submitted the lowest bid for booster stations. Supply Chain Security: Kuwait is moving to strengthen supply chains and keep essential goods flowing as disruption around Hormuz raises food-security concerns. Petroleum Research: Kuwait University has opened a petroleum services laboratory with SLB, adding local capacity for industry research and training.

Digital Infrastructure: A U.S.-Kuwait business roundtable is set to explore how engineering can meet rising energy and infrastructure demands from AI and data centres, including ways to turn waste heat into commercial opportunities. Supply Chain Security: With Hormuz disruptions threatening food and energy flows, Kuwait is moving to strengthen supply chains and protect essential goods. Energy Exports: Kuwait is studying two oil pipelines to bypass Hormuz and has approved a tender for a new sour-gas export pipeline; Gulf Spic submitted the lowest bid for booster stations. Industry Investment: State-owned TGA is pursuing oil and gas, renewables, storage, logistics and green-technology projects in Cambodia. Oil and Engineering: KPC says domestic self-reliance is helping build resilience, while seeking further support; it has also announced tenders for deep-drilling wells. Kuwait University has opened a petroleum services lab with SLB. Defence Manufacturing: A £370 million counter-drone contract for Kuwait is expected to create 100 engineering and manufacturing jobs in the UK.

Energy Resilience: Kuwait is exploring two oil-export pipelines to bypass Hormuz, while KPC is looking to regional partners and overseas investments to strengthen export resilience. Investment: State-owned TGA is seeking projects in Cambodia across oil and gas, renewables, refining, energy storage, battery manufacturing and cold-chain logistics. Economic Outlook: The IMF forecasts Kuwait’s economy will contract 16.7% in 2026, as disrupted production and shipping outweigh the benefit of higher oil prices. Supply Chains: Kuwait is moving to secure essential goods and has warned that disruption to Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab threatens food security and raises transport and insurance costs. Infrastructure: Public Works Minister Noura Al-Mashaan inspected the Mishref wastewater pumping station, checking its readiness to operate at full capacity. Regional Finance: Kuwait is taking part in the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, where officials are discussing investment and stronger GCC–Asia economic ties.

Energy Resilience: Kuwait is studying two oil export pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, while KPC says investments in tankers and overseas infrastructure are helping strengthen resilience. The government has also approved a tender for a new sour-gas export pipeline. Supply Chains: Kuwait is stepping up efforts to keep essential goods moving and bolster food security as shipping disruptions raise costs and risks. The IMF forecasts a 16.7% contraction in Kuwait’s economy this year, citing interruptions to energy production and trade. Defence Technology: Kuwait’s £370 million MARSS contract will build a nationwide counter-drone system covering air and coastal waters, protecting critical infrastructure with sensors, command centres, jammers and interceptors. Industry and Logistics: Agility Global agreed to sell its Tristar energy-logistics stake to India’s Aegis Logistics in a deal valuing the business at US$1.5 billion; completion is expected by March 2027. Utilities: The Public Works Minister inspected Mishref’s wastewater pumping station, stressing the need to keep the facility operating safely at full capacity.

Energy Infrastructure: Kuwait is studying two oil-export pipelines to bypass Hormuz and has tendered a new sour-gas export pipeline. Gulf Spic submitted the lowest bid, worth $132 million, to upgrade two southern gas booster stations. Supply Security: The Prime Minister chaired a meeting on keeping essential goods and energy flowing, strengthening food security and diversifying transport and export routes amid regional disruption. Economic Outlook: The IMF forecasts Kuwait’s economy will contract 16.7% in 2026, as interruptions to production and shipping outweigh gains from higher energy prices. Oil and Gas Skills: Kuwait University has opened a petroleum services laboratory with SLB. Marine Protection: Kuwait Dive Team installed 35 moorings at Kubbar Island to protect coral reefs from anchor damage.

Supply-chain Resilience: Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah chaired talks on keeping energy and essential goods flowing, strengthening food security and developing alternative transport and export routes. Energy Projects: Kuwait approved a tender for a 24-inch sour-gas pipeline. Kuwait University also opened a petroleum services lab with SLB to give students hands-on training in oil exploration technologies. Regional Cooperation: New Saudi-Kuwaiti agreements cover electricity links, renewables, energy storage and smart grids, while Kuwait and Oman identified opportunities in logistics, industry, energy and digital services. Industrial Investment: UK firm MARSS’s £370 million counter-drone contract for Kuwait is expected to support 100 engineering and manufacturing jobs. Local Business: talabat and KIB Business Center brought coffee entrepreneurs together to use market data and consumer insights to grow their businesses. Water Services: Planned maintenance at the Doha distribution complex may disrupt supplies in Ardiya, Sabah Al-Nasser, Firdous and Ishbiliya for 10 hours from 9pm on October 15.

Supply Chains: Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah chaired talks on keeping energy and essential goods flowing, strengthening food security and developing alternative transport and export routes. Energy Cooperation: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia agreed to deepen work on power-grid links, electricity exports, renewables, storage and smart grids, alongside energy technology and local production. Oil Skills: Kuwait University opened a Petroleum Services Lab with SLB, giving geology students hands-on training in reservoir exploration software and supporting research. Drilling: KPC issued two tenders for specialist casing and tubing for deep wells, including high-pressure, high-temperature exploration. Food Security: Kuwait and Azerbaijan discussed agricultural expertise, land reclamation and expanding food trade. Engineering and Defence: UK firm MARSS’s £370 million contract to supply Kuwait with an integrated counter-drone system is expected to create 100 UK jobs.

Oil & Gas: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation opened two tenders for deep-well casing and tubing, including equipment for high-pressure, high-temperature exploration. Bids close Nov. 9. Kuwait also tendered a gas-export pipeline. Energy Investment: Kuwait’s development fund signed an agreement with the Green Climate Fund to explore financing for climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy and water security. Engineering & Defence: MARSS won a £370 million contract to build Kuwait’s nationwide counter-drone system, integrating sensors, jammers and interceptors; the deal is expected to create 100 UK jobs. Power Cooperation: A Kuwait-Saudi agreement covers grid links, electricity exports, renewables, storage and smart grids, alongside cooperation to localize energy products and services. Oil Output: Kuwait’s September crude production fell by 140,000 barrels per day to 1.766 million, even as OPEC+ production rose.

Security Investment: Kuwait has agreed to buy a £370 million British-built, AI-enabled air defence system to counter aerial and coastal drone threats. MARSS will integrate sensors, jammers and interceptors in a nationwide network. Energy Supply: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation says it will continue meeting customer commitments despite regional disruption. OPEC data show Kuwait’s crude output fell by 140,000 barrels a day in September, to about 1.8 million. Economic Outlook: The IMF forecasts Kuwait’s economy will contract 16.7% in 2026, citing shipping and energy disruption linked to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Infrastructure: Kuwait has tendered a gas export pipeline, with bids due by January 5, 2027. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have also signed an agreement to cooperate on electricity and renewable energy.

Infrastructure: Kuwait’s Public Works Ministry is expanding GIS across projects and service networks to improve planning, field monitoring and decision-making. Energy Cooperation: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia signed an electricity and renewable-energy MoU, with plans to develop technical cooperation, digital systems and local expertise. Oil Sector: KPC says it will maintain customer commitments despite regional disruption, while KUFPEC aims to raise production from about 83,000 to more than 120,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day by 2030. Industry and Jobs: KNPC is preparing a phased Kuwaitization drive at Al-Zour refinery, beginning in key operating units. Kuwait and Algeria also discussed cooperation in pharmaceutical production and medical supplies.

Energy Cooperation: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia signed an MoU covering grid links, renewable power, energy storage, smart grids and efficiency, with plans to localize energy products and services. Kuwait also joined the International Energy Forum meeting in Riyadh, where officials stressed supply resilience amid Hormuz disruptions. Defence Procurement: Kuwait’s £370 million MARSS air-defence contract will combine radars, jammers, interceptors and AI-enabled command systems. Production in Bristol is expected to create 100 UK jobs, while the system will help protect Kuwait from missile and drone threats. Infrastructure Investment: Government spending and new infrastructure awards are supporting Boursa Kuwait’s recovery, with potential benefits for construction, real estate and services firms. Supply Risks: Gulf shipping disruptions and attacks on energy infrastructure are adding pressure to oil and refined-product markets, reinforcing the need for secure export routes and resilient energy systems.