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Kuwait pushes diversification, private sector growth

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Kuwait pushes diversification, private sector growth

Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel

KUWAIT CITY, May 21: Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel said the government is working hard to implement ambitious economic policies aimed at restructuring the national economy, achieving diversification, facilitating the business environment, expanding participation, and raising the efficiency of the State’s financial management. Al-Ajeel made the statement at the opening of the New Kuwait Economic Strategy 2025 Conference the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) organized Wednesday in cooperation with The Business Year Group. KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah attended the event, with the participation of a group of economic leaders in and outside Kuwait. According to Al-Ajeel, the government recently implemented a set of laws in light of these economic policies, such as the Public Debt Law, which aims to rationalize financing tools and support the financial sustainability of the State; as well as the Real Estate Developer Law, which will propel the real estate, banking and investment sectors to new stages of growth and development.

He cited the initiatives and projects that were launched recently, like the Smart License Project, Office Licenses Merger System, and amendment of the Companies Law, which reflect policies to develop and improve the business environment in the country. He emphasized that “these government reforms are manifested in the economic indicators of the country.” He explained that before the adoption of these reforms, the gross domestic product (GDP) witnessed a remarkable four percent growth in non-oil sectors, indicating a real beginning in terms of diversifying sources of income and reducing dependence on traditional resources. He stated that “the government is looking forward to improving these rates in 2025 and the coming years. We have a historic opportunity to move Kuwait to a new phase of growth, productivity and partnership.”

Regarding foreign investment, he revealed that Kuwait has adopted measures to improve the investment environment, raise the level of transparency and strengthen legal frameworks, which contributed to a 20 percent increase in foreign direct investment inflows last year. He pointed out that the country has witnessed many international investments in different sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure, reflecting the extent of foreign investor confidence in Kuwait as a stable and ambitious investment hub. He added that mega strategic projects like Zour Refinery, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and Kuwait National Railway, along with the development of smart cities and infrastructure, not only strengthen the economic structure of the country, but also establish a sustainable economy based on innovation, diversity and partnerships between the private sector and the government.

He said “The noble directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah are considered the compass that guides all of us in formulating the economic policies of the State. His Highness has repeatedly emphasized that Kuwait is now facing a historic responsibility that requires serious action to build a resilient and globally open economy based on knowledge and innovation, led by the private sector, supported by the State, and confidently keeping pace with rapid regional and global developments.” He believes that the challenge today does not lie in formulating visions; but in transforming them into reality through cooperation between the public and private sectors, developing national competencies, and strengthening Kuwait’s position as an influential economic and investment hub in the region. “The government looks forward to the future with confidence and treats challenges as opportunities to move assertively toward building a new Kuwaiti economic model — one that believes in partnership, embraces modernity, and invests in people above all else,” he concluded.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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How UAE Traders Are Adjusting Their Forex Strategies as Global Markets Stay Volatile in 2025

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The year 2025 continues to test global financial systems with persistent volatility. From central bank policy shifts and oil price instability to geopolitical tensions in key markets, traders are operating in an environment that demands flexibility and a deeper understanding of global macroeconomics. In the UAE, where financial activity is closely linked to international movements, traders are refining their strategies to remain competitive and secure.

Whether it’s retail investors in Dubai or institutional players in Abu Dhabi, the need to adapt to changing conditions in forex trading has become more important than ever. The dynamic shifts in global economics are not just influencing decision-making, they are reshaping how UAE traders evaluate risk, execute trades, and manage exposure across currency pairs.

Focus on Capital Protection and Controlled Risk

A major shift among UAE-based traders is the move toward capital protection strategies. In a volatile environment, limiting downside is often more crucial than maximising short-term gains. Traders are increasingly incorporating stop-loss rules and portfolio diversification as part of their risk control protocols.

Platforms offering position sizing calculators and risk-reward analysis tools have become essential in the decision-making process. This reflects a broader change where the success of a trade is not just about profit, but about how effectively risk is managed over time.

Shift to Shorter-Term Strategies

With long-term market direction often clouded by sudden news events or unexpected central bank interventions, many UAE traders are shifting to shorter timeframes. Scalping and intraday strategies have grown in popularity due to their ability to take advantage of small market moves without staying exposed overnight.

This approach allows traders to stay agile, locking in profits within hours and avoiding market gaps or weekend volatility. Moreover, this flexibility fits well within the mobile-driven trading environment favoured by UAE’s tech-savvy investor base.

Increased Use of Technical Tools

As markets fluctuate more wildly, reliance on technical indicators and automated signals has increased. UAE traders are leveraging platforms with robust charting capabilities and advanced analytics to make real-time decisions.

Commonly used tools include:

  • Relative Strength Index (RSI) for overbought/oversold signals
  • Moving Averages to detect trend direction
  • Fibonacci retracements for identifying entry and exit zones
  • Bollinger Bands for measuring price volatilitynn

These tools are especially helpful when market fundamentals become unpredictable or are dominated by sentiment-driven movements.

Demand for Education and Market Analysis

With volatility comes a growing appetite for market knowledge. Traders in the UAE are increasingly participating in webinars, workshops, and market outlook sessions. Brokerages and educational platforms have responded by offering localised content, including Arabic-language tutorials and Gulf-focused economic briefings.

This demand reflects a professionalisation of the retail trader profile. Instead of speculative behaviour, many UAE-based individuals are approaching trading as a skill-based discipline that requires ongoing learning and strategic planning.

Diversification Beyond Major Pairs

Another trend is diversification beyond the usual EUR/USD or GBP/USD trades. UAE traders are exploring opportunities in emerging market currencies, regional forex pairs, and even commodity-linked currencies such as AUD and CAD.

Reasons behind this diversification include:

  • Seeking new volatility pockets for trading opportunities
  • Avoiding overexposure to dollar-related movements
  • Taking advantage of regional economic trends and oil-linked currencies
  • Hedging positions with less correlated pairs

This broader view is a direct response to global uncertainty, where traditional safe-haven dynamics have become less predictable.

Adaptation to Regulatory and Platform Changes

The UAE’s trading environment is also shaped by evolving regulatory frameworks and technology infrastructure. As SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority) continues to refine its policies around online trading and leverage limits, local traders are becoming more compliant and informed.

Broker selection now includes factors such as:

  • Regulated status in the UAE or other tier-1 jurisdictions
  • Availability of Islamic trading accounts
  • Fast execution speeds with minimal slippage
  • Robust mobile and desktop platforms with analytics

These considerations are crucial for long-term trading sustainability in a heavily digitised and regulated marketplace.

Conclusion

In 2025, global market volatility has turned traditional forex strategies on their head. UAE traders, known for their adaptability and innovation, are rising to the challenge by embracing risk management, technical precision, educational growth, and strategic diversification.

As the world economy continues to shift, these traders are proving that informed, disciplined, and flexible approaches to forex trading are not only effective but essential in uncertain times.

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US stocks hit more records following US-Japan trade deal

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US stocks hit more records following US-Japan trade deal

Specialist Alex Weitzman works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on July 21. (AP)

NEW YORK, July 24, (AP): US stocks set more records on Wednesday following a trade deal between the world’s No. 1 and No. 4 economies, one that would lower proposed tariffs on Japanese imports coming to the United States. The S&P 500 added 0.8% to its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 507 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.6% to hit its own record.

Stocks jumped even more in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 rallied 3.5% after President Donald Trump announced a trade framework that would place a 15% tax on imports coming from Japan. That’s lower than the 25% rate that Trump had earlier said would kick in on Aug. 1. “It’s a sign of the times that markets would cheer 15% tariffs,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management.

“A year ago, that level of tariffs would be shocking. Today, we breathe a sigh of relief.” Trump has proposed stiff taxes on imports from around the world, which carry the double-edged risk of driving up inflation for US households while slowing the economy. But many of Trump’s tariffs are currently on pause, giving time to reach deals with other countries that could lower the tax rates.

Trump also announced a trade agreement with the Philippines on Tuesday. So far, the US economy has seemed to hold up OK despite the pressures on it. And tariffs already in place may be having less of an effect than expected, at least when it comes to the prices that US households are paying at the moment.

“The main lesson about tariffs so far is that passthrough to consumer prices is tracking somewhat lower than in 2019,” according to Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle. Tariffs are certainly having an effect, to be sure, as big US companies across industries have been showing through their profit updates in recent days.

Hasbro took a $1 billion, non-cash hit to its results for the spring to write down the value of some of its assets following a review triggered by the implementation of tariffs. It said tariffs have had no impact yet on how much profit it’s making from each $1 of its sales, but it expects to see costs ramp during the current quarter. 

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Talabat launches summer rest stops for riders in Kuwait

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KUWAIT CITY, July 23: As part of its annual summer campaign for riders, talabat, the leading on-demand online ordering and delivery platform in the MENA region, is bringing back its rest stop initiative, with four strategically located, air-conditioned buses across Kuwait. This initiative aligns with the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and commitment to providing riders with a safe working environment where their health and wellbeing remains the top priority, especially during summertime.

Building on the initiative’s success for four consecutive years, talabat continues to extend its welcome this year to all riders across Kuwait. Including those from outside its network, to rest and replenish at any of its bus stop rest areas. These stations are well-equipped with comfortable seating, water, and first-aid essentials, reinforcing talabat’s role in promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all. Commenting on the revival of the initiative, Bader Al-Ghanim, Vice President and Managing Director of talabat Kuwait, said: “Our role in the communities we serve extends beyond delivery. We are invested in the wellbeing of every individual who contributes to keeping our ecosystem running, starting with the riders. These rest stations, launched as part of our summer campaign for the fourth year in a row, refl ect our continued efforts to ensure safe and comfortable working conditions for riders all year long.”

He added: “As part of our day-to-day operation, which is powered by a wide network of riders, logistics partners, and support teams, we remain deeply aware of the unique challenges they face on the ground every day. This understanding drives us to provide meaningful support that responds to the nature of their work, with a strong focus on health, wellbeing and improving the overall work environment.” Although talabat riders are hired through logistics partners, Al-Ghanim confirmed that the talabat remains responsible for ensuring they receive insurance coverage, summer kits, and regular access to road safety workshops and health screenings. He emphasized that riders are core contributors to the reliable, high-quality service that talabat delivers to its customers, and as such, remain a top priority within the company’s wellbeing efforts. It’s worth noting that the fully equipped rest station initiative rolled out across Kuwait is just one of several efforts talabat has launched during the summer to support rider wellbeing and promote safer, more comfortable working conditions on the road. Through initiatives like these, talabat continues to lead by example, demonstrating how companies can adopt a people-first approach rooted in long-term commitment to those at the heart of the delivery ecosystem.

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