KUWAIT CITY, Sept 16: Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, today announced the launch of its independently-owned grocery retail brand, HyperMax, in Kuwait. Following its successful debut in Jordan, Oman, and Bahrain, HyperMax is now bringing its deep local insights, international best practices and omnichannel concept to Kuwait, setting a new benchmark for modern grocery retail in the market.

Charbel Azouri, Head of Operations at Majid Al Futtaim Retail – HyperMax Kuwait, commented: “With the launch of HyperMax in Kuwait, we are delivering a modern omnichannel shopping experience that blends world-class standards with local relevance, rooted in regional insights. By working closely with Kuwaiti farmers, suppliers, and SMEs, HyperMax is strengthening national supply chains, promoting economic self-reliance, and contributing directly to the ambitions of Kuwait Vision 2035 – all while ensuring our customers enjoy greater variety, quality, and everyday value.”

In support of Kuwait Vision 2035, HyperMax is collaborating with over 150 local farmers, producers, suppliers, and SMEs to strengthen national supply chains, reinforce food security, and create meaningful opportunities for the private sector to grow alongside the country’s development agenda. With a workforce of over 1,500 team members, Majid Al Futtaim reaffirms its long-standing commitment to nurturing talent and advancing Kuwait’s socio-economic prosperity.

– Five stores and a fully integrated e-commerce platform set to redefine grocery shopping in Kuwait with greater choice, value, and convenience

– With over 1,500 employees, Majid Al Futtaim reaffirms its commitment to nurturing competitive talent while supporting Kuwait Vision 2035

–  Strategic partnerships with over 150 Kuwaiti farmers, suppliers, and SMEs to strengthen food security, drive competitiveness, and foster sustainable economic growth

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 16: As of September 16, 2025, Carrefour has officially announced that it will cease all operations in Kuwait. In a message to customers, the management expressed “sincere gratitude” for decades of support and patronage. Carrefour was introduced to the Middle East region in 1995 by Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), which secured exclusive franchise rights and has since operated Carrefour stores in multiple countries, including Kuwait. 

In Kuwait, before this closure notice, Carrefour had been expanding. In February 2022, Carrefour (owned by MAF) opened its ninth supermarket in the country in the Khairan area, offering about 15,000 local and imported items.

In Oman, Carrefour ceased operations effective January 7, 2025, as announced by Majid Al Futtaim. The closure was followed by the launch of a new chain called HyperMax to replace Carrefour stores there. Similarly, in Bahrain, Carrefour operations ended as of September 14, 2025, and again, Majid Al Futtaim replaced them with its HyperMax brand. The change also involved local partners, suppliers, and about 1,600 employees.

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 16: A business delegation from the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and other trade bodies, participated in a business meeting organized by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at Al Boom Hall, Chamber Building.

The discussions focused on strengthening economic relations between the two brotherly nations, exploring opportunities in various sectors, and building sustainable trade partnerships. The Bangladeshi delegation included companies from diverse industries such as ready-made and knitted garments, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and renewable energy. Senior officials of KCCI and prominent Kuwaiti businessmen from relevant sectors also attended the meeting. It is worth noting that a Protocol of Cooperation was signed between the FBCCI and KCCI in 2016, and this was the first meeting held since that agreement.

The meeting began with welcome remarks by Mr. Firas M. Al-Oda, Assistant Director General of KCCI, who warmly received the delegation and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to deepening business cooperation between Kuwait and Bangladesh. Then, H.E. the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the State of Kuwait Major General Syed Tareq Hussain, OSP, awc, psc, also addressed the gathering. In his remarks, the Ambassador emphasized that this meeting not only continued the spirit of the 2016 Protocol of Cooperation but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in the growing economic partnership between the two brotherly countries. He highlighted Bangladesh’s rapidly expanding economy, youthful population, and robust industrial growth, particularly in garments, pharmaceuticals, IT, shipbuilding, renewable energy, and agro-processing, as offering significant opportunities for Kuwaiti investors.

Mr. Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce and head of the delegation, delivered a detailed presentation on Bangladesh’s dynamic business environment. He underscored the country’s strategic location, skilled workforce, and demographic advantages. He also outlined progress in key sectors such as garments, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, IT, plastics, leather, footwear, and healthcare, alongside recent infrastructure developments and policy reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment. He further highlighted the one-stop services provided by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance the ease of doing business. Mr. Khan extended an invitation to Kuwaiti business leaders to visit Bangladesh and witness these opportunities firsthand.

Industry representatives from Bangladesh elaborated on sector-specific prospects, presenting investment proposals and inviting their Kuwaiti counterparts to explore facilities in Bangladesh, with particular attention to opportunities in the healthcare sector.

The Kuwaiti side expressed strong interest in expanding imports from Bangladesh and exploring outsourcing collaborations. KCCI representatives also indicated plans to organize a delegation visit to Bangladesh to assess investment prospects on site.

The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to intensify cooperation, with the shared objective of boosting trade and investment between Bangladesh and Kuwait, paving the way for a stronger and more collaborative economic partnership.