Although small geographically, Kuwait casts a disproportionately large shadow in the areas of international finance, energy, and trade. It enjoys a capital-surplus economy, but is still a developing country and one of the fastest growing markets for goods and services. Kuwait's drive toward economic development and self-sustaining investment both at home and abroad arises from the knowledge that the nation's prosperity derives overwhelmingly from a single, nonrenewable asset—petroleum. Professor El Mallakh delineates Kuwait's economic activities and potential and assesses the country's impact on the global economy. Basing his work on two decades of research and writing on Kuwait and neighboring Gulf states, and on interviews with Kuwaiti officials and financial and business leaders, he presents a wealth of detailed and practical information, little of which is readily accessible elsewhere. He also analyzes the use of Kuwait's capital-surplus funds with reference to the region, to Europe, and to the United States, and looks at the country's priorities for future international investment and development projects.

This publication provides insight into the varied and rich experience in SOE reform in the region over the past decade, highlighting reform initiatives undertaken at national and country specific levels.

2011 Updated Reprint. Updated Annually. Kuwait Export-Import Trade and Business Directory

2011 Updated Reprint. Updated Annually. Kuwait Justice System and National Police Handbook

From American master Ward Just, returning to his trademark territory of "Forgetfulness "and "The Weather in Berlin," an evocative portrait of diplomacy and desire set against the backdrop of America's first lost war

The third in a new series, the Contemporary Archive of the Islamic World (CAIW), this title draws on the resources of Cambridge-based World of Information, which since 1975 has followed the politics and economics of the region. Kuwait’s documented history begins in the mid-19th Century. Its location established it as an important entrepôt at the head of the Arabian Gulf. Notionally under Ottoman rule, it became a de facto protectorate of Great Britain. The discovery of oil changed Kuwait beyond recognition. It gained full independence in 1971 and was long considered the most developed state in the Gulf. Coveted by Iraq, it was invaded in 1990. It also played a part in the2003 invasion of Iraq.

Home to the largest per capita reserves and fourth-largest total reserves of crude oil within OPEC, Kuwait’s public finances have suffered in 2016 following the rapid decline in oil prices, which drove oil revenues down from $108.6bn in 2013 to $51.8bn in 2015. Despite this Kuwait has resisted significant budgetary cutbacks: spending levels in 2016 were cut by just 1.6%, and the considerable financial buffers built up from budget surpluses in the years leading up to 2014 are expected to cushion the budget deficit. The country continues to push ahead with key public investments, with Parliament allocating $155bn to the Kuwait Development Plan 2015-20 to fund infrastructure, utilities and housing developments. The plan focuses on further integrating the private sector into areas of the economy traditionally under state control and aims to raise the non-oil sector’s GDP contribution to 64% in 2015-20, up from an average of 45.1% in 2010-13. Elsewhere promising moves are being made to cut state subsidies, with the government opting to liberalise diesel and kerosene prices and reduce subsidies on aviation fuel in January 2015, generating savings equal to 0.3% of GDP.