KUWAIT CITY, July 19: In an unprecedented development for the Gulf region, 41 percent of startups in Kuwait are now spearheaded by women. This figure — among the highest in the Middle East — is a manifestation of a sweeping transformation in the entrepreneurial landscape of Kuwait, driven by women who are redefining the boundaries of economic participation.

Female entrepreneurs are playing a vital role in challenging long-standing societal stereotypes about women’s roles in the economy. From e-commerce and financial technology to creative ventures that celebrate culture and identity, many women-led projects have shown profitability and significant social impact. Experts attribute this surge to several factors as follows:

Social media has also played an instrumental role; giving Kuwaiti women the tools to market their products, build communities, and bypass traditional barriers that once limited their opportunities.

Among the standout examples is a startup founded by a young female Kuwaiti entrepreneur producing modern feminist cultural content, as well as another that develops smart e-commerce solutions targeting regional markets in the Gulf. Despite these achievements, certain challenges remain. Many women entrepreneurs report difficulties in securing funding on par with their male peers, citing persistent bias in investment circles and bureaucratic hurdles.

Yet, the success and profitability of women-led ventures are beginning to prompt some investors to rethink their priorities and allocate more resources to female founders. The wave of women entrepreneurship aligns with the vision of Kuwait to diversify its economy, away from oil dependency by investing in innovation and the private sector. Programs such as the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development have been established to incubate emerging businesses and focus on empowering youth and women.

KUWAIT CITY, July 19: As part of its summer campaign for riders and broader commitment to their wellbeing, Talabat, the region’s leading on-demand online ordering and delivery platform, has relaunched its “Vending Machines for Summer Relief” initiative for the second consecutive year. With temperatures on the rise, an exclusive vending machine has been installed in a high-traffic rider zone, offering Talabat riders access to essential hydration and light snacks to help them stay safe, nourished, and energized on the job. This initiative reflects Talabat’s continued efforts to provide on-the-ground, people-first solutions that support rider health and safety all year long, especially during summer.

Commenting on the initiative, Bader Al-Ghanim, Vice President and Managing Director of talabat Kuwait, said: “After receiving positive feedback from riders last year, we’re excited to reintroduce this initiative for the second year in a row as part of our summer campaign for the riders. It’s designed to support their health, comfort, and efficiency. We’ve strategically placed a vending machine that provides riders with quick and easy access to water, refreshments, and snacks — all free of cost — to help them stay hydrated and well-nourished during their working hours.”

To further strengthen its rider support initiatives, the company continues to invest in rider safety and education, offering regular multilingual workshops and training sessions in collaboration with government bodies and leading institutions in Kuwait. These sessions cover key topics including traffic regulations, vehicle safety, and health tips to help riders manage blood pressure and sugar levels during their shifts.

By equipping riders with this knowledge, Talabat aims to ensure they adopt healthy coping approaches to the job requirements. Building on the success of last year’s rollout, Talabat remains committed to enhancing its summer campaign for riders and other rider-focused efforts that reflect its long-term corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. With initiatives like these, Talabat continues to set a benchmark for how companies can support those at the heart of the on-demand delivery ecosystem through inclusive, human-centered programs that prioritize health, safety, and well-being in this fast-paced line of work.

KUWAIT CITY, July 19: Director of the Cooperative Development Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs Hamad Al- Dhafiri stated that the number of commercial activities in 73 cooperative societies has exceeded 8,800. In a press statement, Al-Dhafiri disclosed that the sale of snacks is the most popular of the abovementioned commercial activities, indicating this expansion reflects the commitment of the ministry to diversify services and boost economic activity in the country. He said Sabah Al-Ahmad Cooperative Society leads the cooperatives in terms of the number of invested shops, as it is considered a modern area.

He revealed that 340 out of 396 shops in the cooperative are operational with an occupancy rate of 90 percent. He added that the remaining shops are being offered for investment gradually, with more than 40 new shops offered in the last six months alone. He confirmed that in Northwest Sulaibikhat, the occupancy rate of the invested shops reached about 90 percent as well; while West Abdullah Al-Mubarak is witnessing progress, with 50 percent of the total 61 shops being offered for investment, and 31 of these shops have been invested in so far. He revealed that from the beginning of this year until mid-July, more than 200 shops in various cooperative societies were offered for investment, as part of a systematic plan to accelerate the provision of diverse commercial services and expand the scope of cooperative activity.

In the context of supporting small enterprises, Al- Dhafiri stated that the department is working hard to implement the 10 percent allocation for these projects within the invested shops. He confirmed that in addition to the shops previously invested in this area, around 25 shops have also been offered for small enterprises since the beginning of the year, in line with the government’s policies to support entrepreneurship and provide business opportunities for young people. He added that all activities are available to entrepreneurs within this quota, including tire repair. He said the tire repair branch at Salmiya Cooperative Society was allocated to a small enterprise, thereby enhancing the role of youths in various commercial and service sectors. He asserted that the department — under the directives of Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila and acting Undersecretary of the ministry Dr. Khaled Al- Ajmi, as well as the close monitoring of Assistant Undersecretary for Financial, Administrative and Cooperative Affairs Dr. Sayed Issa Mahmoud — is continuing to implement the plan to launch shops in various areas. He said the tender envelopes for about 50 shops are expected to be opened in the coming days in several areas like Zahra, Kaifan, Jabriya, Sabah Al- Ahmad, Al-Naeem, Wafra, Qadisiya, Ali Sabah Al- Salem Suburb and others. He added that these shops are engaged in different activities, such as retail sales, gifts and luxuries, men’s barbershops, men’s salons, laundry, juice shops, and tailoring.

Regarding the Mutlaa Cooperative Society, Al- Dhafiri affirmed that the ministry — after forming a temporary council for the cooperative — is currently working toward the opening of several branches in various residential areas; in addition to preparing to offer the shops there for investment soon, in a manner that meets the needs of the residents and enhances the cooperative’s readiness to serve them. He disclosed that the department has completed more than 20,000 transactions through automation since the beginning of January last year until mid-July this year, confirming the development of services and the speed of completion of transactions. He pointed out that this reflects the ministry’s commitment to provide a flexible and comprehensive cooperative investment environment in all areas, through clear plans that integrate efforts in terms of development and support.

By Fares Ghaleb
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff