MANAMA: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries are showcasing the country’s oil sector achievements and global reach at the International Downstream Conference and Exhibition 2025 (IDCE 2025) in Bahrain. The three-day event, running through October 2, draws over 9,500 industry leaders from 53 countries.

The KPC pavilion highlights the accomplishments of its subsidiaries — Kuwait Oil International (Q8), Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), and Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) — in refining, marketing and integrating oil with petrochemicals. Interactive displays and advanced screens showcase how Kuwait’s energy sector is driving economic growth and strengthening its role on the global energy stage.

Q8 CEO Shafi Al-Ajmi described IDCE 2025 as “an important milestone in the journey of the refining industry.” Speaking to KUNA, he said the conference offered Kuwait an opportunity to enhance its presence regionally and internationally, forge strategic partnerships, and meet the evolving demands of global energy markets while supporting sustainable economic development.

Officials honor Kuwait Oil International (Q8), which won first place in the sustainability projects category, in addition to another award recognizing its excellence in project execution.

Al-Ajmi noted that the conference attracted more than 50 countries, around 70 global companies, and over 200 speakers, reflecting its evolution from a regional to a global platform. “This large and diverse participation highlights the success of the conference in bringing together top experts from around the world,” he said.

The Q8 delegation, led by Al-Ajmi, presented the company’s future projects and best practices aligned with KPC’s 2040 vision. The company also won two of seven awards at the official conference dinner, including first place in the sustainability projects category for an initiative focused on environmental cleanup and promoting positive social behavior. Another award recognized Q8’s project execution, marking the successful completion of a reliability test within eight months of start-up, demonstrating operational efficiency and adherence to global standards.

IDCE 2025, hosted by Aramco and led by the Gulf Downstream Association, features more than 290 expert speakers across 130 sessions covering innovation, decarbonization and the downstream value chain. IDCE 2025 represents the collective support of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE, and provides a premier platform to advance industry development and enable participation in over $100 billion of investment opportunities in refining, petrochemicals, and sustainability. — Agencies

RIYADH: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Sabah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, presented his credentials to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, who received him on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The ceremony took place at the Royal Court in Riyadh’s Al-Yamamah Palace, where the Crown Prince received a number of ambassadors from brotherly and friendly countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). During the reception, Crown Prince Mohammed welcomed the ambassadors, conveying the greetings of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his own regards to the leaders of their respective countries.

He expressed his best wishes for their efforts to strengthen and develop bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia. The ambassadors, in turn, extended the greetings of their heads of state to the King and the Crown Prince, expressing gratitude for the warm and generous reception they received. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait announced the issuance of sovereign bonds worth $11.25 billion, divided into three tranches, marking its first successful return to global debt markets since 2017. The issuance attracted overwhelming investor demand and was priced at “one of the tightest spreads ever for a sovereign issuer in emerging markets”.

Kuwait passed a new public debt law in March, after the previous one expired years ago. That raised the borrowing ceiling to KD 30 billion ($98.24bn) from KD 10 billion previously and allowed for the possibility of longer borrowing terms.

In a press statement on Wednesday, the ministry of finance said the issuance comprised a $3.25 billion tranche with a three-year maturity at (+40) basis points over US Treasuries, a $3 billion tranche with a five-year maturity at (+40) basis points, and a $5 billion tranche with a 10-year maturity at (+50) basis points. The ministry noted that “these spreads are significantly lower than Kuwait’s inaugural sovereign issuance in 2017”.

The ministry added that the offering was oversubscribed by 2.5 times, with the order book reaching $28 billion. More than 66 percent of allocations went to investors outside the Middle East and

North Africa region, including 26 percent from the United States, 30 percent from Europe and the United Kingdom and 10 percent from Asia.

Acting Minister of Finance, Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Dr Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem said the historic issuance reflects global market confidence in Kuwait’s financial strength, prudent policies and solid reserves. He added that the strong demand and competitive pricing reaffirm Kuwait’s position as a distinguished sovereign issuer, stressing that the issuance not only meets financing needs but also strengthens Kuwait’s presence in global markets and supports its partnerships with international investors in line with the New Kuwait 2035 vision.

Kuwait’s issuance is considered one of the largest sovereign bond offerings globally in 2025, generating one of the biggest order books this year — underscoring investor confidence in the fundamentals of Kuwait’s economy and its long-term reform program. The issuance was jointly led by Citi, Goldman Sachs International, HSBC, JPMorgan and Mizuho as global coordinators, with the participation of Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China as passive joint bookrunners. — Agencies