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| Places to visit in Kuwait | |
From a nation of pearl divers and spice merchants to one of the worlds' largest oil exporters, Kuwait has undergone many exciting transformations. Kuwaiti society is truly a cosmopolitan and modern and yet it remains true to its heritage and traditions.
The company comprises five groups: The Touristic Group includes Khiran Resort, Kuwait Towers and the Failaka Complex. The Entertainment City Group includes Entertainment City and its facilities Administration and Finance Group includes several departments. The Chairman and Managing Director who heads a number of departments. The company also organises various festivals and celebrations for the children and their families as well as for the youth. Kuwait Tourism Services Company (KTSC), the country's first inbound tour operator, was established in mid-1997, by Kuwait Airways Corporation with the joint and equal participation of Kuwait Hotel Owners Association and the Touristic Enterprises Company. KTSC aims to provide exclusive tours, tour packages and other ground services with an experienced and professional team assisted by dedicated multilingual guides, field representatives, support and marketing staff. It was KTSC's planning and organisation that made the first Hala February 1999 festival an absolute success. For more information, visit www.ktsc-q8.com Kuwait has a very rich cultural tradition and heritage. Visitors to the country can get a glimpse of these at the fascinating places of Tourist Attraction. The shopping experience in Kuwait, too, is very rewarding. From ancient souks to sprawling malls selling the latest consumer goods, the range and variety is huge. The transport system is ultramodern with all the latest features and facilities. Kuwaitis are warm, hospitable, friendly and helpful, which makes a visit to the country a very enriching and memorable experience
With a history of more than 380 years and a rapid pace of development, which never lost sight of its heritage, Kuwait has many places of interest for both the young and the old The Liberation Tower : The symbol of Kuwaiti liberation, the unmistakable sign of the country's resurgence, the Liberation Tower is one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world. The late HH the Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, inaugurated this telecommunications tower in Kuwait City on March 10, 1996. This 372-metre structure is about 40 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower! It was named after the multinational coalition that liberated the nation from seven months of Iraqi occupation during the Gulf War. The tower has now become a symbol of resurgent Kuwait. The structure uses ceramic tiles on the facade from the base to the first mezzanine level, which is about 308 metres above the ground. Three light natural shades provide a geometric design from the base. The tower and the telecommunications complex is divided into three working areas: a public communications centre; the revolving observation level and restaurant at 150 metres; and the adjacent plant and equipment structure. There are 18 elevators, two of which are glass enclosed and can accommodate 21 passengers each. They are also among the fastest in the world at 6.3 metres per second. Above the revolving mezzanine, six floors of offices with a total floor space of 12,000 sq m rise up and out in a section encased in anodised aluminum, designed to withstand Kuwait's extreme temperatures.
One of Kuwait's most famous landmarks, the Kuwait Towers are situated on Arabian Gulf Street on a promontory to the east of the City centre in Dasman. The uppermost sphere of the largest tower (which is 187 metres high) has a revolving observation area and a restaurant with access by high speed lifts. The entrance fee is 350 fils per person, or free if lunch or dinner has been reserved. Cameras with zoom lens are forbidden.
The museum also houses the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah (DAI), an extensive collection of Islamic art, ranging from early Islam to the 18th century. A variety of scholarly and artistic activities revolve around this collection, each requiring a broad and intensive background in Islamic history. The collection itself is organised according to both historical period and geographical region. To give viewers a comprehensive look at the artifacts, the reference library and the various publications of the Hadeeth ad-Dar (the journal associated with the collection) maintain a close conjunction with the DAI. Mosques : The pyramid-shaped mosque in Ras Salmiya and the Fatima Mosque in Abdullah Al-Salem are fine examples of modern architecture. The Grand Mosque, opposite the Seif Palace, is an example of several traditional Islamic styles using modern technology while retaining the local characteristics of Kuwait as well as preserving the Islamic tradition of calligraphy. There are several examples of mosques dating from the last century still in use around Kuwait City. Recreational Parks : The Kuwait Touristic Enterprises Company (KTEC) manages three recreational parks: at Shaab, Sabahiya and Jleeb Al-Shyoukh. Each park features rides and amusement activities Entertainment City : Badly damaged during the occupation when many of its facilities were looted and taken to Baghdad, Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya (the City of Entertainment) is back in business. Run by KTEC and located 20 km from Kuwait City near Doha on the north side of Kuwait Bay, the complex provides a complete range of amusements based on themes from the 'Arab World', the 'International World' and the 'Future World'. It is considered one of the best amusement parks in the world, and the entrance fee is KD3.500 per person, which covers various rides and amusements.
Resorts and Chalets : Chalets and other weekend accommodation can be rented in many places along the southern part of the coast. Khiran Resort is a KTEC facility with several hundred chalets and studio flats, a yacht club and a 240-berth fully serviced marina, swimming pools, playgrounds, sports and health facilities, shops, a supermarket and coffee shops. Sea Clubs : Many of Kuwait's sea clubs offer a wide variety of facilities and activities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beaches, tennis courts, gymnasiums, bowling and even karate. Five sea clubs -- Ras Al-Ardh, B'neid Al-Gar, Bida, Shaab and Fahaheel -- are run by the KTEC. Each club has a special day or time for women and children only; Ras Al -Ardh is reserved exclusively for women and children. The Kuwait Sea Sports Club is government-owned and has facilities for all major sea sports. There are also several private sea clubs. Bayt Al-Badr : An old house located next to Al-Sadu house, Bayt Al-Badr was built between 1838 and 1848. It possesses a fine example of the famous front doors of old Kuwait. Local handicrafts are sometimes displayed here. Science and Natural History Museum : The museum contains displays relating to the petroleum industry, natural history, aviation, machinery, electronics, space and zoology, as well as a health hall and a planetarium. Much of the Science and Natural History Museum has been restored since Liberation. Located on Abdullah Mubarak Street, the Science and Natural History Museum is open from 9 am to 12 noon and 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm from Saturday to Wednesday. Entrance fees are 150 fils per adult and 100 fils per child. Liberation Monuments : The site of a bloody battle between the Kuwaitis and the Iraqis just before Liberation, Al-Qurain House is now a museum dedicated to those who laid their lives. It is situated in the new Qurain housing area. A mounted Iraqi tank at the Jahra Gate roundabout at the end of Fahd Al-Salem Street is a reminder of the folly of war. Another such monument, next to the main entrance of the Ministry of Information in Soor Street, has a walkthrough pictorial display of scenes from the Iraqi occupation and is well worth a visit. There are several other such monuments around the City and the country. Zoological Park : Located in Omarrya on the Airport Road, the Kuwait Zoo covers 180,000 sq metres of parkland. Very few of the zoo's animals survived the Iraqi occupation but through a dedicated reconstruction programme the zoo reopened in February 1993. Today it houses 65 species of animals, 129 species of birds and five species of reptiles, apart from other animals such as lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, zebras, etc.
Musical Fountain : Located near the Ice Skating Rink on the 1st Ring Road, and badly damaged during the Occupation but now fully refurbished, the Musical Fountain provides a unique and delightful sight and sound show of musical fountains, every night during summer from 6 pm to 10 pm. Entry fees are 200 fils per adult; 100 fils per child. The Green Island: Located at the Sea front( Gulf Road) , it is a nice place to take a walk or spend an evening with the kids. Although it is beautifully designed , it needs more entertainment. The Green island has an amphitheatre , 2 restaurants , a viewing Tower, a children castle, and a wide landscape of green and flowers, but we doubt that you can see much flowers in summer. There is an entry charge. THE AQUA PARK: This is a water fun park. Water slides , artificial wave pool , kids pool. The Yachting Club: It is near Sultan Center restaurants in Salmiyah. It accommodates over 265 boats. Membership is restricted to boats owners. Skating Ring: Located at 1st RING ROAD, near Shamiah area, has a large ice-skating ring. A small ring is reserved for children & women. Training is available. A small cafe is also available for snacks. Some days are reserved for women and children only. The Water Front: The Water Front extend for a bout 21 klm on the Gulf road. It is a nice place to take a walk, watch the sunset or sun rise. Try to avoid the crowd on Thursday night. The traffic also is very bad on that night. There are many kind of restaurants in this area , watch out for speeding motorists ,some young people rally drive fast and go over the speed limit. There are many attraction in this area. Try to ride on a jet sky or just take a nice walk. ShowBiz: It is a small entertainment park. Try the Camel Ride. This place is located in Salmiyah at the Sea Side. Entertainment City: AL-Khieran Resort: If you like to spend the weekend, this is a nice place to soak in water & sun. You can rent a chalet for the weekend and eat the Restaurant. They have chalet that can accommodate the whole family. Reservation ahead of time is required as the resort is fully booked in the weekend. Wafra Farms: These farms are located near the Saudi border , in the south of Kuwait. It is a bout 1 2 hour drive. Here you can visits many farms that are open to the public. Buy some fresh vegetable and the kids can have lots of fun here too. There is horseback riding , motorcycle and Dune Buggies. For the little one there is some rides and animals to see in small Zoos in each farm. Kuwait Science Club : Open to members of all nationalities, the Science Club is situated on the 6th Ring Road. Managed by a group of enthusiastic amateurs, the Club's amazing range of facilities and the latest in scientific hardware includes the Aujairy Observatory. The Club aims at creating an informal environment where people of all ages, can develop their scientific hobbies. Art and Artists Theatres and Musical Societies Sadu House : Kuwait's roots are entwined with both the sea and the desert. The bedouins lived a life governed by the rhythm of the seasons. A traditional craft of major importance was Sadu weaving, characterised by geometric designs woven by hand with dyed, spun and coloured wool. Sadu weaving is still alive in the nomadic culture, which gave birth to it. The Scientific Centre : This is the largest Aquarium to be built in the Middle East by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of the Sciences (KFAS). Visitors can focus on the natural habitats of the sea, with underground passages rich in marine life, natural habitats of the coastal edges and the desert of the Arabian Peninsula, watch a motion picture projection in the IMAX Theatre, visit the Dhow Harbour and explore childhood skills in the Discovery Place and take a break at the Scientific Centre restaurant. corporate taxes or currency restrictions and the free movement of funds. New highways and the modern shipping port at Shuaiba add to the attraction of the zone. Kuwait has a healthy financial and banking sector, with commercial banks owned by the government or by wealthy trading families. The National Bank of Kuwait is the main retail bank, with over 35 branches. Other banks, such as the Commercial Bank of Kuwait and The Credit and Savings Bank, also offer full service banking facilities. The Industrial Bank of Kuwait deals mainly with the funding of industrial, manufacturing and agricultural programmes. The Central Bank of Kuwait is responsible for regulating the financial industry as a whole. The Kuwait Stock Exchange was successfully reopened in 1992, after experiencing major problems following its initial formation in 1977 and the suspension of trading during the Iraqi conflict. Other significant financial institutions include (ARIG) the Arab Reinsurance Group, which deals with major insurance such as aviation and shipping. Kuwait’s telecommunications network is state-of-the-art, well able to meet the demands of the rapidly developing economy. Agriculture and fishing, on the other hand, which are among the country’s traditional industries, contribute relatively little to the gross domestic product, and Kuwait relies heavily on food imports. A downturn in oil prices in 1998/99 prompted the Kuwaiti government to to reduce the dependency on state subsidies by moving towards the privatisation of its consumer utilities, electricity, health etc. This process continues, with proposals to privatise the airline and telecommunications industries and to encourage foreign investment.
Kuwait, the oil rich country in the Middle East, with highest life standards is the dream place of job seekers from many countries. Kuwait offers lucrative employment to people from countries that can provide the best quality human resource capital. The country offers a good number of job opportunities for foreign talent every year. Finding a job in Kuwait isn't easy - especially as foreigner. Our job guide provides information about salaries, contracts and working conditions. Look in the classifieds for positions availabile and post an ad with your details. Chat with other job-seekers in the forums. Employment prospects Kuwait allows plenty of foreign workers into its territory, but almost exclusively on a temporary basis. A majority of outside observers, however, believe that expatriates will have a substantial role to play for many years to come, and it seems likely that expatriates will continue to be important for the next two or three decades, although there will undoubtedly be changes in the number of people employed and the type of skills required. For example, the vast construction projects currently found throughout the region (e.g. road systems, airports, ports and trading zones) will become less numerous, with a resulting decline in the number of manual workers required. Commercial development, however, will lead to further building programmes as Kuwait’s economy continues to grow. Managerial, professional and particularly technological experience will still be in strong demand for many years to come. But there will be none of the mass immigration and resulting demands for citizenship that have been experienced in western societies, or the current trend of economic refugees looking for a better way of life. Kuwait will simply not allow it. Foreigners cannot become citizens or own land and property, although there appears to be some lessening of the restrictions, certainly as regards owning one’s own business. There are other general issues to consider: you’re contemplating a move to a culture that’s almost certainly different to your own; will the way of life, and particularly the restrictions imposed on you, suit you? Will the relocation benefit your long-term career prospects? Will your family (especially any children) cope with and benefit from the move? What impact will it have on their education and employment prospects? If you aspire to be your own boss, as many people do, be aware that starting a business in the region can prove difficult and that you will almost always be required to have a local partner who has a majority holding. Is that acceptable to you? The Middle East has been the scene of considerable conflict and unrest in recent decades, although the Gulf states are generally safe places to live and work. However, before travelling anywhere in the Middle East, it’s wise to obtain advice from your country’s foreign office. Note also that homosexuality is regarded as a criminal offence throughout the region. You should ideally have a firm offer of employment before travelling to Kuwait. Speculative visits are occasionally successful, but you need to be notably lucky and have high-grade qualifications and experience to stand any chance. In addition, you will almost certainly need knowledgeable local contacts and have done some research into the types of company which would most value your experience. Sponsorship What is a sponsor? The sponsorship system is an effective form of immigration control. As your sponsor is responsible for you and ‘takes the rap’ if you misbehave or contravene any regulations (which will also involve him in loss of ‘face’ in the community), he automatically checks that you’re reliable and trustworthy, as well as ensuring that you don’t inadvertently step out of line. For this reason, your sponsor is an important source of help and advice and a valuable ‘ally’. Note that there is talk of the sponsorship requirement being waived in some states, particularly for foreigners wanting to set up businesses in the free trade zones. Agencies tend to specialise in particular areas of work, e.g. medical and nursing staff, computer personnel, accountants, construction managers, executive and office staff, engineering and the technical trades. Agency and consultancy fees are paid by the employer, with no charge to staff. Fees are usually a percentage of the annual salary, ranging from 10 to 20 per cent for most jobs but lower for those with high salaries. Regular customers are often offered preferential rates. Recruitment agencies in Kuwait itself are sometimes used for placing expatriates in temporary work or for expatriate wives wishing to take up local employment. There are numerous regulations controlling the employment of spouses, and separate work visas are needed; the agent handles the details. Local agents are also used if expatriates change jobs. This, however, is uncommon, as expatriates are normally sent to Kuwait under contract and job changes are restricted by their employers. You might under certain circumstances be allowed to break your contract, in which case a local agency might be of use. Otherwise, at the conclusion of your contract, a local agency might find you another job. Government Employment Service Kuwait has no equivalent of the nationally-organised job centres found in western countries, and it’s the responsibility of the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs to deal with employment (Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, PO Box 563, Safat, 13001 (Tel. 965-246 6300)). Kuwait is trying to balance the need to import foreign labour with the interests of the local population, and companies are strongly encouraged to take on local nationals where possible. This ‘encouragement’ can be quite robust, and the Ministries are able to restrict the number of work visas issued or renewed to a company in order to comply with a quota of local intake. Working conditions, Salary & Working hours
Salaries in Kuwait are usually similar to or greater than those paid in western countries. In addition to their salary, contract workers are awarded an ‘indemnity’ at the end of the contract period. The indemnity is usually based on basic salary excluding any bonuses. The indemnity can be a significant amount of money if you’ve been working in Kuwait for a long time, and many people manage either to accumulate a reasonable financial cushion or to live the high life. If you’re clever and disciplined, you should be able to do some of both. The indemnity has nothing to do with insurance but is an end-of-contract bonus which is required by law to be paid to expatriate workers as a sort of ‘thank-you’ for being of service to the state. (It’s also known as ‘end of service benefits’.) Indemnity scales usually amount to 15 (in some cases 20) days of basic pay per year of employment for the first three years and thereafter a month’s salary per year of employment. Note that some Arab companies regularly delay the payment of salaries, cash flow problems being passed on to their staff. In this event, you have little alternative but to wait. Working Hours & Overtime The working week in Kuwait tends to vary between 40 and 48 hours, depending on the particular company’s policy. Office hours are usually from 8.30 or 9.00 am to 5.30 or 6.00 pm. There are no differences in time keeping between summer and winter. In the month of Ramadan, the working day is reduced to six hours and legally this should apply to all staff, but many companies only apply it to Muslims, who fast during daylight hours. Friday is the Muslim rest day and, if your company has a five-day working week, the other day off will probably be either Thursday or Saturday. Saturday is the more popular choice for international |
companies, as taking Thursday off would mean a reduction in the number of operational days in common with much of the rest of the world. Conversely, other companies insist on Thursday, as the school ‘weekend’ is Thursday and Friday. Working Women What is working in Kuwait like?
In Arab countries, men have traditionally been the providers, women the homemakers. This concept is slowly changing, however, as the attitudes of the outside world permeate Arab society. More local women are entering the work force in Kuwait and some employers view them as harder-working and more reliable than the average local male worker (and invariably cheaper to employ). Women rising to positions of power and influence tend to come from middle and upper echelon families. Indeed, for a woman to rise to a position of influence at work she needs the support of her family, especially the male members. Most expatriate workers – whether western or eastern – are male. Their wives often have a restriction in their passport which prohibits them from working. Should the wives wish to work, they must obtain their own sponsorship and work visa, but employers tend to be biased against giving work visas to women. Women are often offered work (illegally) and, while this isn’t a major crime, it can result in the company being fined and the woman losing her job. Women are generally safe in the workplace, with little sexual harassment because of the severe punishments for this. The influx of female ‘tourists’ (i.e. prostitutes) from eastern Europe in recent times, however, has reduced the level of respect that foreign females hitherto enjoyed. Women should also be careful not to be too friendly towards Arab men in the workplace, because this can be misunderstood as flirtatiousness. The petroleum extraction and refining companies of Kuwait look for professionals such as petroleum engineers, geoscientists, drilling engineers, information technology professionals, finance professionals, safety & industrial security specialists, medical and nursing professionals, refinery engineers, marine engineers, production engineers, auditors, technical auditors, Rock micro-tomography specialists, Production Managers and coordinators, Petroleum engineers, telecom engineers, electrical & electronic engineers, technicians, simulation engineers, mechanical engineers, rig electricians, piping designers, operators, IT professionals, offshore medical professionals, nurses, shift in charges etc. Oil companies of Kuwait, to a great extend, provide apprenticeship training to the new entrants. Jobs in oil industry can be either offshore or on rigs, or on shore. Employment Contracts What you need to know
On being offered a job, which in the vast majority of cases happens in the expatriate’s own country, you will almost certainly sign a contract or at least a letter of agreement. In Kuwait, your contract specifies your basic salary, job title, duties and responsibilities, the period of your contract, and possibly also details of the reporting structure and performance measures of the company. An employment contract should also contain termination conditions, including required notice of intent to terminate the contract on either side and liabilities to be incurred in respect of breaking the conditions of the contract. Your contract might include the phrase ‘employment subject to obtaining the necessary permits’. This is unlikely to present problems, but make sure that you’re able to obtain the required visas, etc. before committing yourself to the move abroad. Note that local labour laws apply whether you hold a contract or not. A company contract is likely to take precedence over basic labour laws where its stipulations are in excess of legal requirements, but you still have the protection of the laws as a minimum. Traditionally, most expatriate contracts were for two years only, but it’s becoming increasingly common for contracts to be open-ended. Employers have found that they can be held to a defined period if the employee proves unsatisfactory, and most contracts now have a termination notice period of between one and three months, or payment in lieu of notice. Contracts can be extended or renewed by mutual consent and frequently are if all parties are happy with things as they are. It’s quite common for expatriates to stay in the Kuwait for 20 years or more. Kuwait has sophisticated, computerised control of their labour force and specify job categories that are open to foreign labour. Certain employment is reserved for nationals, particularly in the service industries. You might, therefore, find that your contract gives you the job title you would expect, but the official version on your work visa is something quite different. This might be because of full job quotas or other reasons. You’re sometimes required to attend the Ministry on the completion of your contract to ensure that you have no complaints and to cancel your work visa. Medical Examination All expatriates must undertake a government-controlled medical examination prior to the issue of a work residence visa. The examination includes a general health check to look for serious infectious diseases and infirmities, but especially for HIV and AIDS. The examination is likely to be more stringent for workers from the Indian sub-continent and south-east Asia, who may have greater exposure to disease and less access to advanced medical resources in their home countries than westerners. The AIDS test is mandatory, including for spouses and, if you’re shown to be HIV positive, you will be expelled immediately. The test is also given when work visas are renewed, which is usually on a three-year cycle.
The difficulties of changing jobs
The average expatriate is in the region because he has been given a job by a particular employer, who has had to meet the expenses of recruitment and relocation, perhaps for a family. Arab employers learned by experience, however, that this didn’t always work to their advantage, because the employee could then negotiate with a competitor for a new contract. A new employer then had the benefit of a seasoned expatriate, adjusted to the way of life and the business environment, with little to pay in the way of relocation and recruitment expenses. In some instances, there was one year’s hard work followed by a year’s wind-down as the contract approached completion. Today, contracts tend to be open-ended and include clauses to protect the employer, such as a six-month period before the granting of a new work visa for a particular worker. This discontinuity means that, technically, the worker must leave the country for six months before reapplying for a visa. There are, however, ways around this. (There usually are in the region, if you know the right people.) A worker can transfer to a new employer if his original sponsor or employer provides him with a ‘letter of no objection’ or a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC). If the sponsor is your employer (which is usually the case), he may be reluctant to allow you to go and work for another company, although he may be willing to issue and NOC in order to avoid the expense of returning you to your country of origin. Nevertheless, don’t assume that the change will be quick and simple; there will inevitably be numerous questions and checks. In order to have the full support of your new employer, it’s usually best to leave the country for a period and return under a new agreement. Even then, if you return and take up employment with a firm that’s in competition with your previous employer, you might find that matters become awkward; as a general rule, sponsors and employers are loath to fall out with each other, so the expatriate is likely be the loser.
Dismissal & Redundancy What you need to know The general rule is that you’re given three written warnings detailing your failings or shortcomings before dismissal.
If you break the law, you can be instantly dismissed if the situation warrants it and the employer is so inclined. If you become involved in an altercation serious enough to warrant police attention, for example, or if you’re found guilty of drunken driving, your employer might dismiss you. You would be deemed to have defaulted on the terms of your contract and be ineligible for any indemnity payment due to you. However, an employee cannot be dismissed (or demoted) while on leave out of the country. If you’re made redundant, the termination clause in your contract (of one month or whatever is applicable) comes into effect. Your employer might enhance the offer if he feels that your work deserves it or if it will cause hardship for you to have to leave Kuwait. Disputes Arabs sometimes make far-reaching judgements based on the ‘chemistry’ between you and them. If they don’t like you, they’re likely to look for excuses to terminate the association. It’s obviously in your interest to resolve any dispute amicably yourself, as you can never predict the outcome and, even if you ‘win’, it might be damaging or even disastrous to your career prospects. Expatriates should avoid legal tussles whenever possible, which are time consuming and can lead to untold difficulties. If a dispute arises that cannot be immediately resolved between your employer and yourself, take your case to the Ministry of Labour. If they agree with your interpretation of events, they will take the matter up with your employer on your behalf. Kuwait has its own labour laws, and an English-language version can be obtained from the Ministry. In general, the Ministry can be relied upon to make fair judgements in cases of dispute and don’t tend to be biased in favour of local employers. Do be aware, however, that adjournments or delays in sorting out any disputes usually work to the detriment of the employee: delays mean time and money, and the expatriate will have a limited amount of both. Serious disputes, however, are rare. Kuwait has no tradition of organised trades unions, and their formation is illegal; strikes, therefore, are virtually unknown. It’s possible to form an association within your company to make approaches on a collective basis to management, but this would have validity only within the individual company. Individual representation to the management is possible, but you will need to be understated, brave and have your return plane ticket handy!
Self-employment How to work for yourself in Kuwait
If you wish to be self-employed in Kuwait, your major hurdle is to find a sponsor. If you intend to work in one of the professions, you must show the proper qualifications in order to obtain your work visa: in the medical profession, for example, your qualifications would be inspected by the Ministry of Health. There aren’t usually any tax liabilities but it varies according to the type of work and you should check. You might have to buy personal medical cover in some states. Negotiating with the sponsor will require some hard bargaining. The fee you pay him is likely to be either a flat annual rate paid in regular instalments or a percentage of your revenue. Rates vary, but anything over 10 per cent of your revenue is high and you should try to negotiate on the basis of net rather than gross income. You’re recommended to consult a local lawyer regarding the proposed deal with your sponsor. Starting a Business All you need to know to start a business in Kuwait There are three major considerations to be made by those thinking of starting a business in Kuwait:
The process is complex and financially risky, meaning that local knowledge is crucial. You must also consult a good lawyer from the outset. An experienced lawyer will guide you through the registration complexities and his help will be vital in protecting your interests. This applies whether you’re opening a modest shop or a major enterprise. As is the case all over the world, there are unofficial businesses operating in the region, but if anything goes wrong or you’re ripped off, you have no legal recourse whatsoever. Don’t let these warnings put you off. All isn’t doom and gloom, and many people have developed successful, highly profitable businesses in Kuwait. New operations are encouraged by the authorities and your local partner might be enthusiastically supportive (or he might be a severe liability). Export and manufacturing industries are especially strongly supported by government, particularly as regards the acquisition of land on which to construct a factory. If you set up such a business in a free trade zone, of which there are several in the region, it’s granted exemptions from import and export duties, commercial taxes, building and property licence fees, land tax and restrictions on the transfer of capital invested in the zone. An alternative to starting a new business is to buy a going concern, which is a more straightforward process, as it doesn’t involve lodging capital, obtaining sponsorship or registration; all you have to do is agree a price and transfer the ownership of the business. Local Chambers of Commerce can advise about start-ups and are adept at cherry-picking potentially profitable newcomers to the region. Winning the confidence and support of a Chamber of Commerce will help your cause. Contact details are as follows: Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 775, Safat 13008, Kuwait (Tel. 965-243 3864) When doing business with Arabs, you will probably meet with hard but polite bargaining and find them expert at it. You need to be completely confident about the contents of your contractual agreement. If there are gaps, Arabs are brilliant at finding and exploiting them. Nevertheless, in the vast majority of cases, Arab businessmen meet their obligations fully. The experience of doing business with them is likely to be pleasant and friendly, and the trust built up on both sides will be long-lasting. Incidentally, Arabs rarely say a direct ‘no’ to a proposition, so you must listen and observe carefully. If the response is ‘Leave it with me’ or ‘I’ll think about it’, there’s a good chance that the project will go nowhere. The potential gains of starting and running your own business are great, but it isn’t for the faint-hearted. You need to remember that you aren’t a citizen of the country and when the time comes to leave and sell your interests, your partner has time on his side, while you might not. Company Registration & Legal Obligations Corporate law in Kuwait is similar to that in western countries, in that businesses can be run as limited liability operations, private companies or other types of concern. As discussed, setting up a business or buying a going concern can be complex and you must obtain local legal advice and guidance about registration formalities. As a foreigner, you’re likely to use a western/Arab joint venture law firm. When choosing, seek the advice of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, the DTI, Middle East Association and your Embassy’s commercial sections. Western expatriates are generally well qualified – they don’t find work if they aren’t – and these qualifications are carefully checked with the issuing bodies, irrespective of where they were obtained. Western expatriates therefore tend to occupy senior positions, with commensurate salaries and perks. Workers from south-east Asia and the Indian sub-continent (who are sometimes – politically incorrectly – referred to as ‘Third Country Nationals’ or ‘TCNs’) usually occupy menial, unskilled or semi-skilled jobs and are paid accordingly. Even those with professional qualifications and experience as good as those of a westerner are unlikely to enjoy similar benefits, as the remuneration of foreign workers is related to what they would expect to earn in their home countries, which is invariably higher for westerners. However, this situation is beginning to change, especially in the field of technology. A powerful sponsor or employer is a great weapon with officialdom, and observing his skilful negotiating can be an enlightening experience. The authorities, however, are usually helpful and don’t tend to be difficult unless they have good reason. You will find your working life in the region easier if you’re polite and patient. Smile and seek ‘advice’: requesting advice confers respect on the person asked and you will generally find that Arabs are friendly and helpful. Note that the recruitment of foreign staff is an expensive exercise for employers, including recruitment consultant fees, legal expenses and travel costs. As a result, few employers put their investment at risk by treating employees badly, and the great majority of expatriates prosper in Kuwait for many years.
Kuwait's social security system Kuwait does not have obligatory state or employer-contribution insurance schemes. Foreign workers have access to medical facilities, but to little else. In fact, Kuwait is beginning to pressurise companies to provide medical insurance for their employees to ease expatriate pressure on state healthcare programmes, and private medical insurance is recommended for most foreigners. Pensions There are no state pension schemes in Kuwait for foreign expatriates, although certain state institutions and some international companies have corporate pension schemes. If you were paying into a state pension scheme while working in your home country, you should continue to do so, even if in a reduced form, such as Class 3 contributions in the UK. These are usually one of the best investments you can make, for the continuous return they provide upon retirement. (You might also be eligible for certain benefits, e.g. the payment of medical costs, while in Kuwait.) Nevertheless, expatriates should take advantage of their high disposable income in Kuwait to set up a personal pension plan. There are many companies offering a variety of schemes, either based on lump sums or supported by regular savings.
Kuwait Oil Company Kuwait National Petroleum Company is one of the largest petroleum production companies of the world. KNPC is involved in oil refining and distribution activities. It owns and manages the Mina Abdullah refinery, Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, Shuaiba Refinery and is developing New Refinery Projects within the state of Kuwait Being a major petroleum producing country, Kuwait occupy lead position in Petrochemical industry map. In recent years investment in petrochemicals have increased aiming to exploit the great potential of the sector. There were large players in this sector for decades, such as the Equate Petrochemical Company and the Petrochemical Industries Company. These companies are ranked among the world's largest petrochemical producers. These companies produce chemical products such as gasoline, paper, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, plastics, synthetic fibers, paint, film and many more. In Kuwait there are large proven deposits of hydrocarbons, chemical compounds, ethylene and propylene, benzene and xylene isomers that gives great prospects to the country and the region industrially and for employment generation. At present the petrochemical industry is serving employs manpower in thousands. A job in petrochemical and fertilizer industry offers lucrative income, employee welfare facilities and career development opportunities. If you are seeking a job in Kuwait petrochemical sector, you have reached the right site to find one. Equate Petrochemical Company is a Kuwait based company supplying petrochemical products to the markets in the Middle East, North Africa, Far East and Europe. Its products showcase include Polyethylene (a thermoplastic material composed of polymers of ethylene) Ethylene Glycol(a thick liquid used primarily as an antifreeze polyester fiber manufacturing) and Polypropelene (thermoplastic having a higher temperature resistance). Equate Petrochemical Company recruit, develop, and maintain a diverse and highly qualified workforce of high calibre professionals who are committed to meeting our world-class standards. The Independent Petroleum Group is a Kuwait based company engaged in the trade and marketing of crude oil, petroleum products, LPG, petrochemicals and fertilizers. Independent Petroleum Group aims to have top professionals from petrochemical industry all through the world to join it and contribute in activities of the company. IPG workforce is multi-cultural formed from various parts of the world. IPG offers te highest standard of motivation and self satisfaction through continuous recognition in their efforts. Banking and investment sector is a leading industry in Kuwait. Saudi has itself established as the global banking hub in the Middle East region. The economy of Kuwait attracts local and international investment institutions with great returns for the capital investment. The growing Kuwait banking and finance sector contributes to the banking and investment sector job boom in the country. The Kuwait banks and investment companies offer employment opportunities to various profiles in the senior and junior management levels CBK carries out its statutory functions of monitory control and currency management keeping abreast with both domestic and international economic developments. The bank gives particular importance to the social and economic development of the country. The Central Bank of Kuwait offers excellent opportunities for employment for qualified persons of all disciplines. Application should be filled out and sent to: Manpower Department Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is a diversified banking business with capabilities to foster the demands of modern era banking in fields of consumer banking, corporate banking and international banking. ABK bank provides all types of products and services for the local banking customers, including family and individual business financing, credit card services, educational services, and in the corporate banking arena there are short term financing, project financing as well as long term financing. The treasury and investment division provides loans, letters of credits and guarantees with particular emphasis on financing of construction, real estate, etc. ABK We welcomes resumes from fresh and experienced graduates with a banking background. This company offers attractive packages and creative work culture that effectively capitalizes diversity. Mail your resume to: hrd@abkuwait.com National Bank of Kuwait is a a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, wealth management, investments and consumer finance. It deals in all types of personal banking products, corporate banking services for domestic and foreign corporates, fixed assets/structured financing, trade financing and online corporate services, Private services including Investment Services, Offshore Services, Overseas Banking and Real Estate Services, NBK Investment Funds services and Asset Management, trading in various stock exchanges, etc. diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, wealth management, investments and consumer finance. NBK team members contribute to our business in a wide range of positions - marketing, accounting, lending, human resources, customer service, cash management, technology, operations, investments, and more. Submit your application now and see how you can contribute to our NBK team. The BBK is pioneer in simple convenient and flexible banking services. The bank employs avant-grade technologies through research, technology and foresight to give the customer better, convenient and secure future.
Commercial Bank of Kuwait serves the community with products ranging from personal banking products, corporate banking, investment services and online banking. The bank is able to provide best services to its customers through excellence in Leadership, Innovation, Commitment and technological advancement. The human resource policy of the bank envisages human development through training and development that covers a detailed implementation of identification of training need analysis, in-house continued training, training with Institute of Banking Services involving Banking, Finance, Interpersonal skills, Management, Customer Care, Selling, Credit, Investments, Marketing, Product Knowledge and Information Technology, local training, overseas training, Specialized Summer Intern Training Program, etc |
