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Zain contributes to Kuwait’s sustainable digital future

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KUWAIT: Zain announced its sponsorship of the annual launch event organized by global media group The Business Year, in collaboration with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). The event, titled Kuwait’s New Era, featured a series of insightful panel discussions on strategic investment efforts and the latest policies and regulations enhancing Kuwait’s appeal as a regional investment hub.

Zain took part in the opening ceremony, attended by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel, KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Zain Kuwait CEO Nawaf Al-Gharabally, Chairman of the Kuwait Banking Association Hamad Al-Marzouq, and a prominent lineup of public and private sector leaders, experts and entrepreneurs. Zain’s support of the event reaffirmed its strategic partnership with The Business Year and ongoing collaboration with KDIPA, both aimed at empowering the local business environment and positioning Kuwait as a regional economic center driven by innovation and technology.

During the event, Zain emphasized that its support for this distinguished gathering is renewed annually as part of its contribution to shaping the future of Kuwait’s economy. Events like these bring together innovation and decision-making to transform ambition into action, aligning perfectly with Zain’s strategic vision for the digital future. The company noted that Kuwait has taken bold steps in recent years to strengthen its digital economy, and Zain is proud to be a key partner in this journey. Looking ahead, the company believes that economic transformation is not solely based on infrastructure and investment, but on people, partnerships, and purposeful technology.

Waleed Al-Khashti delivers Zain’s keynote speech during the opening ceremony.

Waleed Al-Khashti delivers Zain’s keynote speech during the opening ceremony.

Zain explained that it has moved beyond the traditional role of a telecom operator to become a driver of innovation and digital transformation, serving as a strategic partner to the government, private sector, and startups. The company’s purpose is clear: to deliver technologies and innovations that enable Lasting Connections and Better Lives for the communities it serves. Zain is also accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, not just as a trend but as a national imperative. Through smart platforms, data analytics, and advanced telecom solutions, the company is unlocking potential across vital sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and logistics.

The company is making major investments in nurturing national talent, grounded in its belief that Kuwait’s future will be built by its people. Whether in AI, cybersecurity, or cloud computing, Zain is preparing its workforce to lead tomorrow’s economy. Recognizing that this new era requires collective effort, Zain believes true innovation lies not only in what is built, but in how it is built. Through strong partnerships with the public sector and global technology leaders, the company strives to shape a strong, inclusive, and sustainable digital future for Kuwait.

Zain also expressed its pleasure in continuing its long-standing partnership with The Business Year, based in London, to help host such impactful forums. The company values the critical role these platforms play in fostering dialogue, exchanging ideas and enabling innovation across Kuwait’s market sectors. The company praised the pivotal role and significant efforts of KDIPA in improving Kuwait’s business environment, diversifying the economy, boosting competitiveness and positioning the country on the global investment map. Zain reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these national goals as a leading private sector organization.

The event featured two insightful panel discussions that highlighted Kuwait’s most strategic investment sectors. The first panel explored the importance of family business transitions to public listings and the evolving role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in driving economic growth in a stable political environment with a robust development agenda. It also examined the latest policies and legislation bolstering Kuwait’s regional investment appeal.

The second panel focused on Kuwait’s industrial evolution, the need to diversify income sources, and integrating sustainability into growth strategies. Panelists discussed mechanisms for reducing oil dependency, the role of public-private collaboration in expanding industrial sectors, and emerging opportunities in renewable energy and advanced technologies to build a competitive and sustainable economy.

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Kuwait signs military deal with France, holds talks with CENTCOM

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KUWAIT: Kuwait’s defense and security institutions stepped up regional coordination on Thursday with back-to-back high-level meetings and agreements involving the United States and France. In separate engagements, the Kuwaiti Armed Forces and National Guard both held talks with international counterparts to strengthen joint efforts on military training, intelligence sharing, and regional stability.

The Kuwait National Guard signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Gendarmerie to boost coordination in military and security fields, including joint training and the exchange of expertise. The agreement was signed by Lt Gen Hashem Al-Rifaie, Undersecretary of the National Guard, and Olivier Gauvin, French Ambassador to Kuwait.

Lt Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah meets with US Central Command Commander Gen Michael Kurilla.

Lt Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah meets with US Central Command Commander Gen Michael Kurilla.

According to a statement from the National Guard, Al-Rifaie emphasized the Kuwaiti leadership’s commitment—under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah—to deepening ties with France across multiple sectors. Al-Rifaie conveyed the National Guard’s appreciation and highlighted the “long-standing, distinguished historical relations” between Kuwait and France.

Separately, Lt Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces, met with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen Michael Kurilla to discuss “a number of issues of mutual interest,” according to a statement from the Kuwaiti General Staff. The meeting, held at Lt Gen Al-Sabah’s office, covered regional and international developments, and ways to expand bilateral military cooperation. The two sides also “exchanged views on evolving security challenges in the region and how to strengthen joint military action to achieve regional security and stability,” the statement said. Both leaders praised the deep-rooted partnership between Kuwait and the United States, which they said reflects “decades of collaboration and continuous coordination.” They stressed the importance of “continued coordination and intensified joint efforts to face security challenges.” — KUNA

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Indian mango festival showcases uncommon varieties in Kuwait

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KUWAIT: Kuwait ranks among the top five importers of Indian mangoes, with trade valued at $3 million last year, according to Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Adarsh Swaika. His remarks came during a buyer-seller meet (BSM) hosted at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday.

The event aimed to strengthen agri-food trade between the two countries by introducing new varieties of Indian mangoes and other value-added agro-products to the Kuwaiti market.

While varieties such as Alphonso, Badami, and Sindoori are already well-known in Kuwait, Ambassador Swaika emphasized the festival’s goal of spotlighting lesser-known yet premium varieties from the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh—the country’s largest mango-producing state—and West Bengal.

Among the featured fruits were Chausa, Mallika, Amrapali, Dussheri, Langra, and the distinctive Fazli mango, which holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its unique origin and characteristics.

The promotional campaign was organized by the Embassy of India in Kuwait in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

A ten-member delegation of Indian exporters participated in the two-day program from Wednesday to Thursday, which included retail activations, B2B meetings, and public outreach events.

One of the highlights was Mango Mania, a large-scale showcase held at Lulu Hypermarket in Al Rai, where shoppers sampled an array of mangoes flown in specially for the occasion.

On Thursday, the Mango Festival at The Avenues mall drew a diverse crowd including Kuwaiti officials, foreign diplomats, members of the Indian diaspora, business leaders, and families. Visitors enjoyed live tastings and a curated menu of Indian mango-based recipes, celebrating India’s rich culinary heritage.

From July 25–27, the campaign continues across branches of the popular Indian restaurant chain Asha’s, further promoting mango appreciation among local and expatriate diners in Kuwait.

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UK envoy condemns civilian killings in Gaza, hails strong Kuwait ties

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KUWAIT: British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis strongly condemned on Thursday the killing of civilians attempting to access humanitarian aid in Gaza. She made the remarks during a meeting with journalists at her residence as she approaches the end of her posting. Lewis called for “an immediate end to the conflict,” referring to the joint statement released by the UK and 27 other countries on July 21, 2025.

She also detailed the Embassy’s initiatives to fund specialist training for Kuwaiti medics deploying to Gaza, and its collaboration with the Palestinian Embassy and the British Consulate in Jerusalem to help small Palestinian businesses export their goods to Kuwait- with Lulu Hypermarket making a large order of foodstuffs earlier this year.

Reflecting on the past four years, Lewis lauded Kuwait’s “special and long-standing” partnership with the UK — noting that 2025 marks 250 years of bilateral trading ties. She also thanked the Kuwaiti people for their warm hospitality, recalling Ramadan diwaniyas and the Al-Qaffal ceremony marking the end of the pearl diving season as especially memorable cultural experiences.

Lewis highlighted February 2024’s rollout of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme to Kuwaiti nationals as significant in strengthening people-to-people links between the two countries. Kuwaiti nationals made 162,000 trips to Britain in 2024 — a 6 percent increase from 2023, with Kuwait Airways now offering 19 direct flights a week to London and Manchester. She also expressed delight that an ever-growing number of Kuwaitis are choosing to study at UK universities, with over 10,000 currently undertaking courses there.

Lewis reflected on the success of joint celebrations to mark 125 years of official UK-Kuwait diplomatic relations, rounded off by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s trip to Scotland to meet His Majesty King Charles III and discuss Kuwait’s partnership with the King’s Foundation. She also recalled His Highness’ August 2023 Guest of Government visit to London marking 70 years since the establishment of the Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund, during which he oversaw the signing of a landmark investment partnership.

Lewis noted that His Highness had travelled to the UK five times across her tenure, while Kuwait welcomed four UK Cabinet Ministers, including most recently the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in addition to numerous Ministers of State, senior officials and the Duke of Edinburgh.

She said Britain was now “close” to concluding a landmark Free Trade Agreement with the GCC, while praising the UK and Kuwait’s burgeoning international humanitarian partnership that has seen the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development announce lifesaving joint funding for communities in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia.

Lewis expressed confidence that her successor Qudsi Rasheed, who will arrive in September, would thoroughly enjoy his time in Kuwait, and that UK-Kuwait collaboration — be it in trade and investment; defence and security; education and culture; or climate and environment — would continue to go from strength-to-strength under his guidance.

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