By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: Union of Investment Companies (UIC) held a press conference yesterday on the activities of the fifth Kuwait Investment Forum titled 'Investing in Kuwait, missed and available opportunities'. Secretary General of the Forum Madhi Al-Khamees said the forum is being held after two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which upended the economy and investment.

"This forum brings together two important sectors: Economy and media. I would like to thank all participants including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kuwait Banking Association," stressed Khamees.

President of UIC Saleh Al-Selmi spoke about the investment role of Kuwait in attracting foreign investments to the country. "This forum is a great opportunity for investors to highlight their ideas and suggestions, in addition to discussing the obstacles that they face with officials. The forum aims to find solutions by discussing the role of the government in investing and the rules and regulations related to it," he noted.

Khamees then reviewed the agenda of the forum, which includes two sessions. "The first session will be held on Sunday, March 22 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry titled 'Solid Investment with Strong Vision'. This session will include presentations by the minister of commerce on Kuwait's vision for the investment sector, rules and regulations for investing, the private sector's vision for economic reforms, stimulating the economy, presented by Saleh Al-Selmi, and KBA's vision presented by Dr Fayez Al-Kandari," he outlined.

This forum will bring together specialists from all fields of the investment sector from different institutions including the private sector, public sector, parliament, government and some Arab institutions. "Each session will be followed by a panel discussion held by representatives of various institutions including the Kuwait Economic Society, Kuwait Transparency Society, Kuwait Accountants Society and the Real Estate Union," added Khamees.

The second session is titled 'Small Businesses Between the State's Vision and Reality'. "Small enterprises suffered a lot during the pandemic, and many ended in bankruptcy. This session will include the solutions and alternatives to overcome the obstacles, the laws regulating these businesses, government's vision for the demands of the entrepreneurs and competition protection," he explained.

Specialists from the field will participate in this session, including representatives of the National Fund for Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises, National Assembly, Public Authority for Manpower, Competition Protection Agency and others.