Latest news with #Kuwait City
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait sees licensing growth in traditional and freelance business sectors
KUWAIT CITY - The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued 9,881 new company licenses through its Single Window Administration in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 9.4% year-on-year increase from 9,029 licenses during the same period in 2024. The growth of 852 new licenses reflects the Ministry's continued efforts to streamline business registration and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. A total of 5,940 companies were established during the quarter. This surge is attributed to a series of administrative reforms implemented by the Ministry aimed at simplifying licensing procedures, minimizing regulatory steps, and eliminating redundancies in the process of setting up and managing businesses. According to official data, commercial licensing activity saw a significant boost across multiple categories. Company licenses rose 21.3% to 8,390 from 6,919 in Q1 2024, while applications under processing increased to 514. In the segment of personal company formation, the Ministry received 14,000 applications. Of these, 8,287 were rejected, 705 were approved, 641 were canceled, and 4,526 companies were successfully established. An additional 705 are in the process of being established. Conversely, licensing activity for special-purpose companies recorded a sharp decline. Only 38 licenses were issued in the first quarter of 2025—a 97% drop compared to 1,660 licenses issued in the same quarter last year. Despite the decline, the Ministry processed 56 applications, resulting in the establishment of nine companies, with six licenses currently in issuance. Freelance Sector Sees Major Expansion The freelance and micro-enterprise segment experienced robust growth, fueled by regulatory changes introduced in August 2024. The Ministry reported a 227.25% surge in new licenses for micro and freelance enterprises, rising to 1,453 from 1,000 in Q1 2024. Currently, 42 licenses are in the process of being issued. Of the 1,649 freelance business license applications submitted, 1,449 were rejected, 705 were approved, and 1,405 companies were established. A further 114 are in the process of formation. This growth reflects the Ministry's move to support independent professionals and small-scale entrepreneurs through simplified licensing for 175 defined activities that do not require commercial premises. Licenses in this category, valid for four years, can be obtained via the Single Window Administration, the "Sahel" or "Sahel Business" mobile platforms, or other approved channels. The Ministry also mandated that all freelance license holders clearly display their license number on their business accounts across electronic and social platforms, and conduct all transactions exclusively through electronic payment methods.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
New building rules aim to modernize Kuwait's urban system
KUWAIT CITY - In a key step toward urban development, the Municipal Council, headed by Abdullah Al-Mahri, approved new investment housing requirements as part of revised building regulations during its main session held on Monday. The Council affirmed that the existing building regulations are undergoing a comprehensive review and amendment process to align with the state's current development goals and future urban aspirations. Among the approved changes is Table No. (2), outlining updated requirements and specifications for investment housing projects both inside and outside Kuwait City. The aim is to enhance economic returns and diversify building uses within this sector. The new regulations include several major updates: Compensation for commercial stores will be increased by sixfold, offering greater incentives for investment. Building percentages for residential care properties will rise by 50 percent, improving housing capacity and efficiency. Basements and additional floors may now be utilized to better serve residents, including provisions for people with disabilities. The Council also decided to prohibit the merging of commercial activities within a single building, while expanding permitted investment uses to include societies, libraries, and playgrounds. Furthermore, a new classification — studio apartments — was added under investment housing. Additionally, the Council approved an increase in commercial activities allowed on the first and second floors of investment housing buildings — from 16 to 22 activities — broadening the scope of mixed-use development. In related decisions, the Council approved a request by the Public Authority for Youth to designate a location for the Kuwait Technical Complex for Entrepreneurship in the Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber area and amend components of the project accordingly. Other approvals included: A special proposal regarding investment housing parking lots. The allocation of an emergency lane on main roads to establish a dedicated emergency corridor. A donation by Kuwait International Bank to beautify and develop the Abdul Razzak Gate, contributing to urban aesthetics and public space enhancement. These measures reflect Kuwait's ongoing commitment to modernizing infrastructure and advancing urban planning to meet both economic and social development objectives. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Forbes
5 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
When To See The Moon And Saturn Pair Up On Tuesday Night
The moon and Saturn, as seen from Kuwait City on October 14, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP ... More via Getty Images) Look to the east shortly before midnight on Tuesday, July 15, and you'll see two of the most beautiful objects in the solar system shine together. A waning gibbous moon, by now rising late at night, will appear first, followed by the steady, golden glow of Saturn. They'll shine together all night, but as they rise is when to see them. Here's everything you need to know. Where And When To Look The close encounter — with the moon and Saturn just two degrees apart — will take place due east. The exact time both objects rise depends on your latitude (see below to check on the precise times for where you live), but from everywhere, the moon will appear first and be followed by Saturn. Around midnight local time, both the moon and Saturn will have climbed well above the eastern horizon and be moving into the southeast sky. They'll gradually move westward together and be visible until dawn. What You'll See The moon will be easily visible. About 70% lit, a waning gibbous moon will appear orange as it rises on the horizon. That's because of Rayleigh scattering. At this, the thickest part of Earth's atmosphere, shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and violet, scatter away, while longer wavelengths — including red and orange — pass through more easily. Below the moon, Saturn will be dim but easily visible. It's no Venus in terms of brightness, but it's distinctive. Tuesday, July 15: The Moon Meets Saturn Observing Tips No special equipment is needed. However, binoculars will help you get a lovely close-up of the moon as it rises. For Saturn and its rings, you'll need any small telescope. Note that Saturn's rings are currently oriented nearly edge-on as a result of the planet's tilt and position in its orbit. Neptune is just above Saturn, but it is also too dim to see with the naked eye and requires a large telescope to observe. What's Next in the Night Sky Saturn will gradually become more prominent as it slowly brightens ahead of its opposition on September 21, when it will be at its biggest, brightest and best for telescopic viewing. By then, Saturn's rings will have opened up a bit and be a more dramatic sight. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for meteors from the Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids, which are now active through early August. For exact timings, use a sunrise and sunset calculator for where you are, Stellarium Web for a sky chart and Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets at Your Location for positions and rise/set times for planets. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
