Kuwait

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KUWAIT
History of Kuwait
When we go through the History of Kuwait, while taking a look at the Kuwait Travel Guide, we come to know that beginning of the formation of modern day Kuwait started in the 16th century and was completed in the 18th century. Kuwait's history shows that various tribes from Middle Eastern countries and also from Egypt and Syria came and made a settlement at the area known as 'Kuwait Bay'. They mixed together to form a new tribe known by the name 'Bani Utub'. The tribe took up trading as their means of survival, the main trade being pearl diving. They were also into spice trading with India. Soon after in the 18th century, they started to make living through pearl diving and selling. After the formation of the colony came the choice of ruler and the ruling dynasty which from that time till today is ruling Kuwait descended from Sabah I. It was his duty to administer the state and foreign affairs. The process by which the Al-Sabah family was chosen as the hereditary ruling dynasty of Kuwait is known as "mubaya'a". History of Kuwait took another turn during the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913. At this time the British along with the Turks defined Kuwait as a part of the Ottoman Empire. However, after World War I, the earlier Anglo-Ottoman Convention was held null and void and Kuwait was declared as an 'independent sheikhdom'. British government was held as the 'protectorate of the country'. Discovery of oil changed the course of Kuwait's History both politically and economically. It became one of the richest countries of Middle East and in 1953 it earned the achievement of becoming the largest exporter of oil in the Persian Gulf. Soon afterwards Kuwait earned its liberation in 1961. Though Iraq tried to play spoilsport it could not do much since its plans of invasion was disrupted by the British. History in Kuwait took another turn, this time for economic downfall with the Souk Al-Manakh stock market crash in 1982. Another major event in Kuwait's History is the Iran Iraq War where Kuwait allied with Iraq till 1988 and paid money to her to get protection from Iran's threat of invasion. But as luck could have it Kuwait was invaded and annexed by Iraq in 1990. Iraq's justification was that Kuwait was in fact an Iraqi province. Kuwaiti monarchy was deposed after the Iraqi invasion and the new governor of Kuwait, Ali Al-Majid took up the reins in his hand. History of Kuwait passed through this dark phase with the help of the thirty-four nations' coalition led by America, which was able to free Kuwait after six weeks of fighting in 1991. Iraqi forces withdrew after setting fire to the oil wells of Kuwait and making severe damage to

the infrastructural facilities of Kuwait. Kuwait again became independent and is still so under the ruler Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah who ascended the throne on 29 January 2006

Kuwait Geography
When you go through Kuwait Travel Guide then you will find that Kuwait Geography has maximum deserts and therefore you can find no huge altitude differences. Location of Kuwait is at the extreme northwestern part of the Persian Gulf. The closest neighbors of Kuwait are Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In the west and south Kuwait is bordered by Saudi Arabia for about 250 kilometers. You will find that there is a neutral zone of 5700 square kilometers between Saudi Arabian and Kuwait that was formed in 1922 by the Treaty of Al Uqayr. Iraq also borders Kuwait in the west as well as north for about 240 kilometers. Kuwait with a land area of about 17,820 sq km forms the border of the Persian Gulf in the east and has a coastline of 195 kilometers. Persian Gulf is the lowest point of Kuwait's Geography and the highest point is an unnamed location at a height of about 306 meters. When you are on a trip to Kuwait you will find that the Geography of Kuwait is a collection of nine islands, of which the largest one is Bubiyan. This island was converted to military base in 1991, and a concrete bridge links it to the mainland. The other islands are Auhah Island, Failaka Island, Kubbar Island, Miskan Island, Qaruh Island, Umm an Namil Island and the Warbah Island. Both the Bubiyan and the Warbah Islands are uninhabited whereas, Failaka Island is highly populated. The best feature of Kuwait Geography is the Kuwait Bay. This bay provides natural protective shield to the Kuwait port. A look into Kuwait Geography also tells us that the country is divided into six muhafazat or governorates. These governorates are Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al Asimah, Al Jahra, Hawalli and Mubarak Al-Kabeer. On your visit to Kuwait you will Kuwait Geography has limestone formations in the south, below which the petroleum resources of Kuwait are stored. Wadi Al Batin, that forms the western boundary of Kuwait is nothing but a shallow valley formed by the silt formation on a dry river bed. The freshwater aquifer on the western side of the Ar Rawdatayn, acts as the main supplement to the distilled water for quenching the thirst of the Kuwaitis. The other aquifer which is the Ash Shuaybah is used for commercial and household purposes. From the Geography of Kuwait we come to know that the main natural resources of Kuwait are petroleum, natural gas and the shrimps and only 0.84% of land is arable. Kuwait Geography tells us that the major cities of Kuwait are Kuwait City and Jahrah and the density of population and business activities can be found at Salmiya and Hawalli. If you want to see the industrial area then you have to visit Shuwaikh which is a part of the Al Asimah Governorate.

Kuwait Climate
Kuwait Travel Guide provides you with an in-depth knowledge of theKuwait Climate. Kuwait is a desert country famous for its very dry and hot climate. If you are planning to visit Kuwait, then it is better to know about the Kuwait Climate in advance. Summer starts in Kuwait from the month of April and continues till October. The summer months are extremely hot and dry and while the normal day temperature is 33°C, it rises up to 51°C i.e. 124°F, during the months of June, July and August, with very low humidity. The months of April and October are less harsh with temperatures slowly dropping below the 40s to lower 30s. Another feature of Kuwait Climate is that it never rains during the summer months and from June to September are regarded as the driest months. If you are really interested in traveling then the best time to be in Kuwait is during the winters. From the months of November to February Kuwait's Climate remains best for traveling. The days are cool and the average temperature stays around 13°C with the minimum going to -2°C and the maximum to 27°C. You might not find frosts everywhere but can see that in northern Kuwait. At this time of the year Kuwait receives the rainfall. Maximum rainfall occurs during the months of January to March. It ranges from 25 to 175 mm. The condition favorable to rain is created when the warm moist air from the Persian Gulf meets the cold air masses from Europe. Water temperature at the surface of the coast varies from 15°C in February to 35°C in August. Sometimes you might find thunderstorms with hail during these months. During 1997 November, due to a thunderstorm Kuwait had over ten inches of rainfall. Climate of Kuwait remains pleasant in the month of March, April and May which is spring time in Kuwait. During this season which is also known by the name 'sarayat' season, the temperature remains neither hot nor cold but you might get to see thunderstorms. It is very common to have cloudbursts during the spring evenings though the mornings might have been bright and sunny. These cloudbursts bring sudden heavy rain damaging roads and houses. You might find sandstorms lasting for some days continuously. Due to this condition of Kuwait Climate you will find very little vegetation in Kuwait. The most common form of vegetation that can be seen are desert flowers and shrubs, among which 'arfaj' is the most common one.

TOPOGRAPHY OF KUWAIT
State of Kuwait is famous for its flat topography and slightly uneven desert. The land slopes gradually from the sea level in the east at the coast of the Arabian Gulf to the west and the southwest. The height of the southwestern corner reaches 300 meters above the sea level. Small hills are spread in Kuwait, like along the ridge of Jal Al-Zour that overlooks the northern coast of Kuwait Bay. The height of

this ridge reaches 145 meters. Also, there are Al-Laiyah and Keraa Al-Marw hills. Valleys, lowlands, that are locally known as Al-Khubarat, and sand dunes are found lot in Kuwait. Among the main valleys in Kuwait is Al-Baten Valley as well as Al-Sheqaq Valleys. The first stretches along the western borders of Kuwait, where as Al-Sheqaq Valleys are located in the northwestern part of Kuwait. Al-Khubarat Valleys are spread in different places. The most important of Al-Khubarat Valleys are Al-Rawdatain and Umm Al-Aish, which are located in the north.

POLITICS
Government Kuwait can be identified as having a partially democratic authoritarian government where the parliament is democratically elected and the executive branch is the Al Sabah monarchy. Kuwait got its political identity after its independence in 1961. On November 11, 1962 a constitution was approved and ratified. The constitution defined roles, separated powers and most importantly called for direct parliamentary elections. The constitution has not been changed or altered since its inception. You can read the constitutiosn here

The Kuwaiti flag

The Executive Branch It includes the Amir (president), the Crown Prince (vice president), the Prime Minister and the cabinet of ministers. All rulers must be from the Al Sabah family. However, the constitution clearly states that they should be direct descendants of Mubarak the Great, one of the early rulers of Kuwait. The Amir's powers include appointing the prime minister, dissolving parliament, promulgating and initiating laws referring bills back to the parliament for consideration, proclaiming martial law, declaring war and appointing military officers. The constitution clearly states that the "Amir's person is immune and inviolable." This means that he is above all in the country and criticism of him is unacceptable 6. On January 15, 2006, one of the most beloved Kuwaiti rulers, Sheikh Jaber Al Sabah died from health problems. Today Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah, Jaber's brother, is the Amir.
The Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah -Picture obtained

The Legislative Branch Here is where it gets a little bit complicated. The National Assembly is the legislative authority in Kuwait. It is comprised of 50 democratically elected members, the Prime Minister and the cabinet of about 15 ministers. Although not stated in the constitution, the Prime Minister and ministers of critical ministries— defense, foreign affairs and power—are always members of the ruling family 2. The complicated part is the fact that members of the appointed executive branch also participate in legislation. It is said that including the government in the legislation process decreases the power of the parliament and ensures the survival of the monarchy. Kuwait is one of the true democracies in the region, in that parliament members are truly allowed to exercise their powers. Their powers include: initiate legislation, represent public concerns, express views without being reprimanded, question government and impeach cabinet ministries—over the years several ministers were impeached and were forced to resign. According to the constitution a member of parliament should be: - A Kuwaiti by origin in accordance with law-- citizens who have been naturalized for at least 30 years. - Qualified as an elector in accordance with the electoral law. - At least 30 years old at the time of the election. - Able to read and write Arabic well 6. The constitution prohibits political parties, meaning that all candidates run as independents. But unofficially, many candidates represent certain ideologies: Islamists (Sunni or Shiite), liberals, tribal and government supporters. Again, the prohibition of political parties lessens the power of the assembly, and ensures the ruling family's reign1,2.

Elections are held every four years. Only natural born Kuwaitis are allowed to vote. People who serve in the armed forces, members of the ruling family and Kuwaitis who have been naturalized for less than 30 years are banned from voting. Previously, only men could vote, but the parliament recently granted women the right to vote. Overall, Kuwaitis are happy with the rulers and their government because the country is trying its best to serve its people. Education is free and the government grants many excelling students scholarships to study abroad. For information about Kuwaitis in America click here. Health care is also free, and if local hospitals cannot cure a patient, that patient is flown to get treatment abroad.

Kuwait Communications
Kuwait Communications is vibrant and fully alive catering to all the personal and business needs of the people in Kuwait. From newspapers to radios to Satellite channels, Kuwait has

gradually developed to become a media capital of the Gulf. Kuwaiti media is free and enjoys extensive support of the State. The best medium of Kuwait communications which keeps the Kuwaitis well connected is the telephone and mobile services. The users of telephone and mobiles in Kuwait are increasing everyday in number. Internet is also a very important and modern form of communications in Kuwait. Telephones - main lines in use: 553,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 95 Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.876 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 106 Telephone system: general assessment: the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a mobilecellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: country code - 965; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat) Broadcast media: state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel; several private TV broadcasters have emerged since 2003; satellite TV is available with pan-Arab TV stations especially popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English; first private radio station emerged in 2005; transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2007) Internet country code: .kw Internet hosts: 2,485 (2010) country comparison to the world: 151 Internet users: 1.1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 96

Kuwait Currency
The history of the emergence of Kuwait Currency is quite interesting. Kuwaiti Dinar which is denoted by KWD is currently the official currency of Kuwait. But always it was not in use. From the history of Kuwait Currencywe come to know that earlier Indian Rupee was circulated in Kuwait and later on Persian Gulf Rupee issued by the Reserve Bank of India, took its place and was in use till April 28, 1959. Kuwaiti Dinar became theCurrency of Kuwait in 1960 when it was introduced to replace all the currencies that were in use. The issue of the Kuwati Dinar is bestowed upon the State of Kuwait and the Central Bank of Kuwait is the only organization that can handle it. The fourth issue of Kuwait Currency was introduced by the Central Bank of Kuwait on March 24, 1991 after the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation. This was also withdrawn from circulation on August 17, 1994. Central Bank of Kuwait stopped the right of exchange of these currency notes from August 16, 2004. The fifth issue of the Kuwait Currency which is currently in circulation in Kuwait became effective from April 3, 1994. These currencies have superb technical features ensuring the security of the currency from forgery.

Kuwaiti Society & Culture
Religion Religious Beliefs. The main religion in Kuwait is Islam: approximately 85 percent of the population is Muslim. There are two main sub-sects of Islam in Kuwait, 45 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim, while 40 percent of the population is Shi'a Muslim. The remaining 15 percent of the population practices Christianity, Hinduism, Parsi, and other religions.

Rituals and Holy Places. For practitioners, the most essential tenet of Islam is the purification of the soul through prayers, known as salat, five times each day. The purpose of this activity is to strengthen one's commitment to god. Cleanliness and proper hygiene are prerequisites for the ritual prayers—in Islam good physical health and good spiritual health are intertwined. Islam Islam is practised by the majority of Kuwaitis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.

Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday. During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public. Each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar). The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times. Although over 95% of the population are Muslim, Kuwait is known for its religious tolerance. The three Churches are allowed to practice freely. Kuwait is the only Gulf Country to establish relations with the Vatican. Family Values . The extended family is the basis of the social structure and individual identity. It includes the nuclear family, immediate relatives, distant relatives, tribe members, friends, and neighbours. . Nepotism is viewed positively, since it guarantees hiring people who can be trusted, which is crucial in a country where working with people one knows and trusts is of primary importance. . The family is private. Female relatives are protected from outside influences. It is considered inappropriate to ask questions about a Kuwaiti's wife or other female relatives.

Language in Kuwait
Arabic is the official language of Kuwait, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools. Among the non-Kuwaiti population, many people speak Farsi, the official language of Iran, or Urdu, the official language of Pakistan. Arabic is spoken by almost 200 million people in more than 22 countries. It is the language of the Qur'an, the Holy Book of Islam, and of Arab poetry and literature. While spoken Arabic varies from country to country, classical Arabic has remained unchanged for centuries. In Kuwait, there are differences between the dialects spoken in urban areas and those spoken in rural areas.

Festivals and Events in Kuwait
One of the most alluring aspects of Kuwaiti culture is the occurrence of yearly festivals and events. The country experiences an influx of tourists and visitors during these periods, which range from Arabic to Islamic to Western-influenced celebrations.

Some of the festivals and events celebrated in Kuwait are quite strict, such as the period of Ramadan. Even though tourists are not obliged to follow the rules applied to the state during this time, courtesy, respect and an understanding of the practices is strongly recommended. January festivals New Year’s Day: although Kuwait follows the Islamic calendar, the country still offers its citizens a chance to bring in the New Year. Festivities may not be as intense as those in the Western world, but many locals and tourists still gather in public places to celebrate, although visitors should remember that Kuwait prohibits the consumption of alcohol. However, the public holiday actually falls on 3 January. February festivals National Day: 25 February is regarded as the most significant day in the national calendar, as it marks the day Kuwait became a separate nation in 1961. Typically, Kuwaitis wear national dress and enjoy private celebrations with family and friends. Liberation Day: marks the country’s liberation from Iraq’s brutal occupation in 1991, Liberation Day gives Kuwaitis a chance to remember the struggles experienced during these times, while celebrating another day of patriotism. August festivals Ramadan: the Islamic period known as Ramadan is the Islamic Holy Month, a time of immense spiritual purification. Fasting occurs during the daylight hours, while social activities come to life after dusk. September festivals Eid al Fitr: one of Kuwait’s most celebrated festivals, as Eid al Fitr basically means the end of Ramadan fasting. Kuwaitis watch for the new moon, which is believed to bring good fortune and happiness to the individual and the world. November festivals Eid al Adha: the second of the Islamic ‘Eid’ festivals, usually held on the 10th or 12th day of Dhu al Hijjjah. The festival typically lasts for several days, and Kuwaitis use this time to celebrate joyously with family, friends and relatives. December festivals Islamic New Year: Kuwaitis observe this day as the beginning of the Islamic year. Cards of well-wishing and prosperity are usually exchanged on this day, and gifts are becoming quite prevalent. It is commonly referred to as the Hejira New Year in Arabic.

Kuwait Transportation

Kuwait has a modern network of roads, with all-weather highways running north to Iraq and south to Sa'udi Arabia. Roadways extended 4,450 km (2,777 mi) in 2002, including 3,590 km (2,230 mi) of paved roads. In 2000 there were some 552,400 passenger cars, and 167,800 commercial taxis, trucks, and buses in use. Land transport accounts for a significant share of Kuwait's imports and exports. There are no railways. Kuwait has five ports, including a cargo port at Ash-Shuwaykh, on Kuwait Bay, and an oil port at Mina' al-Ahmadi that is equipped with a huge pier at which eight large tankers can be loaded simultaneously. In 2002, Kuwait had 38 merchant ships in service with a capacity of 2,274,515 GRT. Kuwait has regular calls from ocean shipping, and local sailing craft carry goods between Kuwait and the neighboring sheikhdoms, Iraq, and Sa'udi Arabia. Sea transport accounts for most of Kuwait's foreign trade. In 2001, there were 7 airports, 3 of which had paved runways. The principal airport, Kuwait International Airport, is located south of the city of Kuwait. Air transportation is highly advanced, with Kuwait Airways providing service to and from the major Middle Eastern and European cities. In 2001, the airline carried 2,084,600 passengers on domestic and international flights

Kuwait Tourist
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. A highly urbanized state, Kuwait offers a host of attractions and services to tourists and visitors to the country. It offers a world-class experience in hospitality through its small yet strong hotel Industry. Kuwait Tourism Services Company and Touristic Enterprises Company are two premier agencies working in the field of tourism. They offer exhaustive information to tourists, ranging from Rules and Regulations to General Information on staying in Kuwait, from details on Places of Interest to information on hotels and restaurants. 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.

Kuwait Holidays
1 January New Year's Day. 20 January Islamic New Year. 25 February National Day. 26 February Liberation Day. 31 March Mouloud 10/11 August Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj

Economy - overview
Kuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with self reported crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels - about 9% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 95% of government income. Kuwaiti officials have committed to increasing oil production to 4 million barrels per day by 2020. The rise in global oil prices throughout 2010 is reviving government consumption and economic growth as Kuwait experiences a 20% increase in government budget revenue. Kuwait has done little to diversify its economy, in part, because of this positive fiscal situation, and, in part, due to the poor business climate and the acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch, which has stymied most movement on economic reforms. Nonetheless, the government in May 2010 passed a privatization bill that allows the government to sell assets to private investors, and in January passed an economic development plan that pledges to spend up to $130 billion in five years to diversify the economy away from oil, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy. Increasing government expendit ures by so large an amount during the planned time frame may be difficult to accomplish. GDP (purchasing power parity): $136.5 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $133.9 billion (2009 est.) $141.2 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate):

$131.3 billion (2010 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 -5.2% (2009 est.) 5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $48,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $49,700 (2009 est.) $54,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.3% industry: 48% services: 51.7% (2010 est.) Labor force: 2.112 million country comparison to the world: 118 note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force (2010 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Unemployment rate: 2.2% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share : lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% Investment (gross fixed): 12.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 Budget: revenues: $72.94 billion Expenditures: $43.13 billion (2010 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 55.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 22.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 Public debt: 11.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 120 13.1% of GDP (2009 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 4% (2009 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 104 3.75% (31 December 2008) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.4% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 6.2% (31 December 2009 est.) Stock of narrow money: $18.12 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $16.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.) Stock of broad money: $88.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $86.53 billion (31 December 2009 est.) Stock of domestic credit:

$99.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $90.94 billion (31 December 2009 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares : $119.6 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 42 $95.94 billion (31 December 2009) $107.2 billion (31 December 2008) Agriculture - products: Fish Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 4.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 Electricity - production: 49.82 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 Electricity - consumption: 42.58 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2009 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2009 est.) Oil - production: 2.45 million bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 Oil - consumption: 354,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 Oil - exports: 2.127 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 Oil - proved reserves: 104 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 Natural gas - production: 11.49 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 Natural gas - consumption:

12.38 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Natural gas - imports: 890 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.798 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Current account balance: $43.14 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $28.61 billion (2009 est.) Exports: $65.97 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $50.34 billion (2009 est.) Exports - commodities: oil and refined products, fertilizers Exports - partners:

Japan 15.5%, India 15.3%, South Korea 13.5%, China 10.1%, US 8.4% (2010) Imports: $18.77 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $17.08 billion (2009 est.) Imports - commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing Imports - partners: US 14.2%, China 9.5%, Saudi Arabia 7.3%, Japan 7.2%, Germany 6.1%, Italy 4.7%, India 4.4% (2010) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold : $21.36 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $20.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.) Debt - external: $54.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $55.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.281 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $1.081 billion (31 December 2009 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$44.31 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $34.73 billion (31 December 2009 est.) Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar 0.2888 (2010) 0.2877 (2009) 0.2679 (2008) 0.2844 (2007) 0.29 (2006)

Stock market
Kuwait DJIM index one of top losing composites September marked a turning point for the global markets as the price rally in gold was halted (at first), and oil prices fell significantly. Investors, however, continued to wait for a turnaround as the majority of financial markets remained lower. KSE recovers from early lows to gain 6.5 pts

Kuwait stocks eked modest gains Thursday to wind up week on positive note. The index rose 6.5 points in choppy trade led by select blue chips even as investors eyed value shares ahead of the Q3 earnings. Kuwait Finance House in tie-up with Grosvenor

London-based property fund manager, Grosvenor Fund Management has entered into a joint venture with Kuwait's biggest Islamic bank, Kuwait Finance House, to invest £380m ($585m) in US healthcare properties. Little GCC exposure to global crisis

The global financial distress in 2008 had a relatively little impact on Gulf hydrocarbon

exporters as their economies have become more diverse and oil prices quickly rebounded after their collapse in the wake of the crisis, a prominent regional analyst has said. Kuwaiti price Index closes at 5,804.3 point

Kuwait stocks ended yesterday's session on a mixed note, with the third quarter's earnings announcement just around the corner. Gains in select blue chips stocks sent large caps higher. Investors worry over the global economic outlook.

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