KUWAIT CITY, Aug 06: Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” (KSE: Markaz, Reuters: MARKZ.KW, ‎Bloomberg: MARKAZ: KK) reported its financial results for H1-2025with a Total Revenue of KD ‎‎14.45million with an increase of 65%, as compared to KD 8.76million in H1-2024. The net profit ‎attributable to shareholders of Markaz was KD 6.41million, compared toKD1.79million in the same ‎period last year, and earnings per share was 13Fils for H1-2025.‎

Mr. Diraar Yusuf Alghanim, Markaz’s Chairman, stated: “Kuwait demonstrated robust ‎performance during the second quarter of 2025, with non-oil GDP growth estimated at around ‎‎2.5%, supported by steady expansion in real estate, manufacturing, and hospitality, while inflation ‎remained contained near 2.3% alongside a private sector PMI of 53.9 in May. Across the GCC, ‎economic prospects were reinforced by ongoing diversification initiatives and rising credit activity ‎in the UAE, which helped sustain regional growth. Regional oil revenues also benefited from ‎periodic price increases amid geopolitical tensions, supporting fiscal balances. On the global front, ‎the IMF revised growth expectations downward due to weaker demand and continued geopolitical ‎friction, although oil market movements offered some support to regional fiscal positions. In ‎recognition of its institutional strength and innovative investment capabilities during this period, ‎Markaz was honoured with five prestigious awards from EMEA Finance, Euromoney, and MEED.We ‎remain positive on the region’s outlook, supported by improving financial conditions, ongoing ‎structural reforms, and steady demand trends. Our priority continues to be the creation of long-‎term value for our stakeholders through disciplined execution, strategic growth, and prudent risk ‎management.‎

Mr. Ali H. Khalil, Markaz’s CEO, stated: Markaz’s Asset Management fees for H1-2025 were KD ‎‎3.94million as compared to KD 3.46million for the same period last year, reflecting an increase of ‎‎14%. Investment Banking and Advisory fees for H1-2025 were KD 0.52million as compared to KD ‎‎0.63million for H1-2024. This performance reflects the strength of our diversified portfolios and ‎disciplined focus on consistent execution across business verticals.‎

h1In asset management, our equity mutual funds continued to deliver stable returns amid heightened ‎market volatility. MIDAF, Mumtaz, the Markaz Islamic Fund, and Forsa recorded returns of 8.65%, ‎‎10.45%, 18.05%, and 12.31% respectively, supported by prudent investment strategies and active ‎portfolio management. ‎

Within investment banking, Markaz continues to reinforce its capital markets expertise and deepen ‎long-term client relationships. The team maintains a robust transaction pipeline, with multiple ‎active M&A mandates currently underway.‎

Our regional and international real estate investments have remained resilient, supported by stable ‎occupancy levels, reliable rental income, and steady collection rates. During the year, Markaz ‎exited industrial real estate projects exceeding USD 100 million in the US and Europe, highlighting ‎its disciplined investment approach, partnerships, and leadership in global real estate and credit ‎strategies. Markaz also released the first annual report for its Shariah-compliant Markaz Real ‎Estate Fund (MREF), strengthening transparency and highlighting its market leadership.‎

Favorable demographic dynamics, sustained infrastructure spending, and broader economic ‎diversification across the GCC continue to create attractive opportunities. Markaz is focused on ‎providing differentiated investment offerings and maintaining strategic agility to deliver long-term ‎value for stakeholders.‎

Mr. Abdullatif W. Al-Nusif, Managing Director, Wealth Management and Business ‎Development at Markaz, stated: “Markaz continued to strengthen its wealth management services ‎during the second quarter of 2025. Assets Under Management (AUM) reached approximately KD ‎‎1.56billion as of 30June 2025, reflecting an [increase] of 13.14% compared to KD 1.38billion in Q2 ‎‎2024. This growth is underpinned by our disciplined execution and client-focused strategy.In May ‎‎2025, Markaz successfully engaged professional and qualified investors through an exclusive ‎private markets event with BlackRock, strengthening client access to global strategies and ‎highlighting private credit as a strategic income-focused asset class.‎

Expanding capabilities across private markets, alternative assets, and tailored advisory services ‎remains central to addressing clients’ evolving requirements. Enhanced digital initiatives continue ‎to strengthen the client experience and drive greater efficiency. Supported by strong relationships ‎with institutional and high net worth clients, and solutions aligned with market dynamics, Markaz is ‎positioned to deliver consistent investment outcomes and uphold its leadership in wealth creation.‎

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 06:  Agility KSCP, a supply chain services, infrastructure and innovation company, has announced the successful conclusion of the July Cohort of the 2025 edition of “Academy X” as part of its ongoing strategic partnership with CODED Academy.

Launched as a pilot under the “Kuwait Codes” initiative in 2023 and officially rolled out in 2024, “Academy X” returns for its second year in 2025. The July cohort is a free, six-day program targeting 227 high school and university-level female students, offering hands-on training in business development and AI-powered app design. It also includes modules on public speaking and communication to help participants lead confidently in both technical and business environments.

Agility continues to invest in youth development through partnerships with leading non-profits that expand access to technical and vocational education. Its collaboration with CODED Academy is a standout example. Since launching as a pilot in 2023, “Academy X” has grown steadily, equipping more than 500 young women with coding and entrepreneurship skills to date. The broader partnership with CODED, which began in 2022, has reached over 2,450 female students. Agility’s support underscores the private sector’s role in advancing digital literacy, innovation, and inclusive growth.

More broadly, Agility’s 2025 CSR program aims to reach over 5,000 individuals across Kuwait through initiatives focused on education, technology, and entrepreneurship, building on two decades of collaboration that have reached over 51,000 people across the country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and US President Donald Trump

 WASHINGTON, Aug 6, (AP): President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on India to 50%.

The tariffs would go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Trump’s move could reshape India’s economic ambitions.

Many American companies have seen India as an alternative to Chinese manufacturing that Trump had hoped to diminish through the use of tariffs.

Even though China also buys oil from Russia, Beijing was not subject to the additional tariffs in the order signed by the Republican president.

The U.S. and China are currently in negotiations on trade, with Washington imposing a 30% tariff on Chinese goods and facing a 10% retaliatory tax from Beijing on American products.