meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Fiscal deficit pushes Kuwait towards reforms

7 August 2024

 

The poor state of Kuwait’s public finances was laid bare in late July, when the Ministry of Finance announced it had run up a deficit of KD1.6bn ($5.2bn) for the fiscal year ending on 31 March.

A year earlier, the government had booked a rare budget surplus, following eight straight years in the red, but it seems unlikely that it will be able to return to a surplus any time soon. A combination of lower oil revenues, rising spending commitments and an underpowered non-oil sector means the strain on the public purse is rising rather than falling.

The main culprit for the recent budget shortfall was a 19% drop in oil revenue to KD21.5bn. Non-oil income rose by a little over 1% year-on-year, but at just KD2.1bn it remains a marginal element of the state’s finances.

Even as overall revenues were falling, state spending increased by around 13% to KD25.2bn. The vast majority of that – KD20.4bn – went on public sector wages and subsidies. Capital expenditure accounted for just 8% of the total, at KD1.9bn.

The outcome for the past year was, though, better than some had expected. The local NBK Capital, for example, had predicted a KD3bn deficit. Even so, it highlights how the economy remains almost entirely dependent on oil revenues and, by extension, how ill-prepared Kuwait is for a global transition away from hydrocarbons.

While other Gulf governments have been investing heavily in renewable energy projects and seeking to diversify their economies, Kuwait has made negligible progress in these areas.

Structural stagnation

The deficits of the past decade have dealt a significant blow to other elements of the country’s financial health. Speaking at the General Budget Forum in Kuwait in mid-July, Finance Minister Anwar Al-Mudhaf said the assets of the State Reserve Fund had fallen to just KD2bn, down from KD33.6bn a decade earlier.

The persistent failure of the government to push legislation through parliament allowing it to issue more debt has meant that savings have been steadily depleted to cover the budget deficits. The current trend is clearly unsustainable.

Ministry of Finance undersecretary Aseel Al-Munaifi told the same event on 14 July that the size of the budget deficit in the coming years would vary depending on oil prices, but predicted it could total KD26bn over the four years from 2025/26 to 2028/29 – far more than is left in the State Reserve Fund.

Falling oil revenues have also contributed to declines in the country’s GDP. The Washington-based IMF estimates it fell by 2.2% in 2023 and could drop by another 1.4% this year.

Amid all these problems, there have been a few positive signs. Annual inflation eased to 2.8% in June, its lowest level since November 2020, helped by softer prices for food, housing, utilities and transport. UK-based consultancy Oxford Economics predicts it should now stabilise, with a forecast of 2.9% in the coming year.

Kuwait Oil Company also announced a major discovery on 14 July, with an estimated 2.1 billion barrels of light oil and 5.1 trillion cubic feet of gas found at the offshore Al-Nokhatha field. More oil reserves will do little to change the economic climate of the country though, particularly when production levels are voluntarily capped under the Opec+ deal.

Controlling spending

The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Salah appears to have recognised the need for a more fundamental change in direction, with Al-Mudhaf indicating that more will be done to keep spending under control.

The Ministry of Finance has pencilled in spending of KD24.5bn for the current fiscal year – against revenues of KD18.9bn, meaning a deficit of KD5.6bn. The finance minister has said the government is aiming to keep expenditure at the same level through to 2027/28.

That will be contentious though and may require more political resolve than the government is able to muster. On the other hand, it will find it easier to take unpopular action now than in the past, given the decision by Emir Sheikh Mishaal Al-Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah in May to suspend the National Assembly for up to four years, thereby removing a significant block to policy reforms.

The government may also now decide the time is right to follow most of its GCC neighbours and introduce VAT – more than six years after it was introduced in the UAE and Saudi Arabia – or other measures such as corporate income tax or ‘sin taxes’ on tobacco and sugary drinks. Such a move could provide a significant boost to non-oil revenues.

“I have been dubious about the prospects of substantial fiscal measures being implemented during the current period while parliament is suspended, given the risk that this would be unpopular and viewed as illegitimate, but the minister’s presentation seems to lay the groundwork for reforms,” said Justin Alexander, director of Khalij Economics.

If the government is to successfully limit its spending over the coming years, it will also need activity to pick up in the private sector, not least to provide more jobs for locals. At the moment, the vast majority of Kuwaitis who are in work are employed by a public sector entity.

The most recent employment market data showed job growth among Kuwaiti nationals of 3.2%, but as NBK Capital pointed out in a report on 23 July, “this was due to a gain in public sector jobs, while private sector employment fell”. Just 15% of working Kuwaitis have jobs in the private sector. Indeed, the public sector wage bill rose by 12% in the most recent financial year.

Al-Mudhaf noted in his comments to the General Budget Forum that public sector salaries are now equivalent to around 30% of Kuwait’s GDP, compared to 7-13% in other GCC states. Among other things, he blamed undisciplined hiring and weak performance evaluations for the rising wage bill.

The situation could get worse before it gets better. Alexander noted that “the expectation is that the pending reforms to equalise employment grades across the public sector will boost salary costs even further”.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/12289430/main.gif
Dominic Dudley

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • SLB passes evaluation for Kuwait upstream project

    12 December 2025

    The US-based oilfield services company SLB, formerly Schlumberger, has passed the technical bid evaluation for a major project to develop Kuwait’s Mutriba oil field.

    The Houston-headquartered company was the only bidder to pass the technical evaluation for the Mutriba integrated project management (IPM) contract.

    The minimum passing technical evaluation score was 75%.

    The full list of bidders was:

    • SLB (US): 97%
    • Halliburton (US): 72%
    • Weatherford (US): 61.5%

    The decision was finalised at a meeting of the Higher Purchase Committee (HPC) of state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) on 20 November 2025.

    According to a document published earlier this year by KOC, the IPM tender for the Mutriba field aims to “accelerate production through a comprehensive study that includes economic feasibility evaluation, well planning and long-term sustainability strategies”.

    The field was originally discovered in 2009.

    Commercial production from the Mutriba field started earlier this year, on 15 June, after several wells were connected to production facilities.

    The field is located in a relatively undeveloped area in northwest Kuwait and spans more than 230 square kilometres.

    The oil at the Mutriba field has unusually high hydrogen sulfide content, which can be as much as 40%.

    This presents operational challenges requiring specialised technologies and safety measures.

    In order to start producing oil at the field, KOC deployed multiphase pumps to increase hydrocarbon pressure and enable transportation to the nearest Jurassic production facilities in north Kuwait.

    The company also built long-distance pipelines stretching 50 to 70 kilometres, using high-grade corrosion-resistant materials engineered to withstand the high hydrogen sulfide levels and ensure long-term reliability.

    KOC also commissioned the Mutriba long-term testing facility in northwest Kuwait, with a nameplate capacity of around 5,000 barrels of oil a day (b/d) and 5 million standard cubic feet of gas a day (mmscf/d).

    Once this facility was commissioned, production stabilised at 5,000 b/d and 7 mmscf/d.

    In documents published earlier this year, KOC said that starting production from the field had “laid a solid foundation” for the IPM contract by generating essential reservoir and surface data that will guide future development.

    Future output from the field is expected to range between 80,000 and 120,000 b/d, in addition to approximately 150 mmscf/d of gas.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15235579/main.png
    Wil Crisp
  • Dana Gas makes onshore discovery in Egypt

    12 December 2025

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    UAE-based Dana Gas has made an onshore gas discovery in Egypt’s Nile Delta area, according to a statement from the company.

    The discovery was made by the drilling of the North El-Basant 1 exploratory well, and initial well results indicate estimated reserves of 15-25 billion cubic feet of gas.

    Production from the reserve is expected to exceed 8 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) once the well is connected to the national network.

    The North El-Basant 1 exploratory well was the fourth well in a campaign of 11 development and exploration wells.

    The campaign is being executed as part of the company’s $100m investment programme to support domestic gas production, increase reserves and meet growing energy demand.

    Earlier this year, Dana Gas completed the drilling of three wells, adding 10 million cf/d.

    The programme is expected to increase long-term production and add approximately 80 billion cubic feet of recoverable gas reserves, according to Dana Gas.

    Dana Gas expects to start drilling the fifth well in the programme, the Daffodil exploration well, in the first week of January 2026.

    Richard Hall, the chief executive of Dana Gas, said: “The latest drilling success reinforces the value of our investment programme in Egypt and highlights the significant remaining potential within the Nile Delta.”

    He added: “By increasing local gas production, the programme will help reduce Egypt’s reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel oil and is expected to generate more than $1bn in savings for the national economy over time.”

    Previously, Dana Gas signed an agreement with state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGas) to secure additional acreage under improved fiscal terms, and to accelerate drilling activity.

    Hall said: “We appreciate the strong cooperation from EGas and the ministry, and we remain committed to delivering the majority of our planned programme next year.

    “Regular and timely payments from our partners are crucial to sustaining our investment programme in Egypt."

    In November, a new gas discovery was made in Egypt’s Western Desert region by Khalda Petroleum Company, a joint venture of state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation and US-headquartered Apache Corporation.

    Egypt also started gas production from the West Burullus field in the Mediterranean Sea, after connecting the first wells to the national gas grid.

    The country is currently pushing to increase gas production in order to meet domestic demand and reduce its import bill.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15235552/main.png
    Wil Crisp
  • SAR to tender new phosphate rail track section in January

    12 December 2025

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) is expected to float another multibillion-riyal tender to double the tracks on the existing phosphate railway network connecting the Waad Al-Shamal mines to Ras Al-Khair in the Eastern Province.

    MEED understands that the new tender – covering the second section of the track-doubling works, spanning more than 150 kilometres (km) – will be issued in January.

    The new tender follows SAR’s issuance of the tender for the project's first phase in November, which spans about 100km from the AZ1/Nariyah Yard to Ras Al-Khair.

    The scope includes track doubling, alignment modifications, new utility bridges, culvert widening and hydrological structures, as well as the conversion of the AZ1 siding into a mainline track.

    The scope also covers support for signalling and telecommunications systems.

    The tender notice was issued in late November, with a bid submission deadline of 20 January 2026.

    Switzerland-based engineering firm ARX is the project consultant.

    MEED understands that these two packages are the first of four that SAR is expected to tender for the phosphate railway line.

    The other packages expected to be tendered shortly include the depot and the systems package.

    In 2023, MEED reported that SAR was planning two projects to increase its freight capacity, including an estimated SR4.2bn ($1.1bn) project to install a second track along the North Train Freight Line and construct three new freight yards.

    Formerly known as the North-South Railway, the North Train is a 1,550km-long freight line running from the phosphate and bauxite mines in the far north of the kingdom to the Al-Baithah junction. There, it diverges into a line southward to Riyadh and a second line running east to downstream fertiliser production and alumina refining facilities at Ras Al-Khair on the Gulf coast.

    Adding a second track and the freight yards will significantly increase the network’s cargo-carrying capacity and facilitate increased industrial production. Project implementation is expected to take four years.

    State-owned SAR is also considering increasing the localisation of railway materials and equipment, including the construction of a cement sleeper manufacturing facility.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15229624/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Dar Global to develop $4.2bn Oman mixed-use project

    10 December 2025

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia-headquartered real estate developer Dar Global has announced that it will develop a mixed-use project in Muscat at an estimated investment of RO1.6bn ($4.2bn).

    Dar Global will co-develop the Muscat Marine, Art & Digital District project with Oman's Art District Real Estate Development Company.

    The project will cover an area of over 1.5 million square metres (sq m) and will be developed in several phases over 12 years.

    The development will comprise a mix of residential communities, cultural venues, marinas, retail spaces, finance and business parks and hotels.

    Dar Global, a subsidiary of Dar Al-Arkan, was one of the first Saudi brands to list on the London Stock Exchange.

    Dar Al-Arkan established Dar Global in 2017 to focus on developing projects in the Middle East and Europe, including in Dubai, Qatar, Oman, London and the Costa del Sol in southern Spain.

    Dar Global has $12bn-worth of projects under development in six countries: the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UK and Spain.

    It completed three developments – the Urban Oasis and Da Vinci towers in Dubai and the Sidra gated community in Bosnia – in 2023.

    The company collaborates with global brands including Missoni, W Hotels, Versace, Elie Saab, Automobili Pagani and Automobili Lamborghini.

    In Oman, Dar Global is also developing the Aida project. In May, it awarded a contract to develop the villas and apartments as part of the project.

    According to an official statement, the construction works are expected to start immediately and the project is slated for completion in 2026.

    The main contract was awarded to local firm Al-Adrak Trading & Contracting.

    The latest announcement follows the awarding of contracts in June last year for the development of the first phase of the Aida project.

    The Aida project is being developed as a joint venture with Omran Group and the first phase is expected to be completed in 2027.

    UK analytics firm GlobalData forecasts that the Omani construction industry will expand at an annual average growth rate of 4.2% in 2025-28. Growth in the country will be supported by rising government investments in renewable energy, the transport infrastructure and the housing sector, all as part of Oman's Vision 2040 strategy.

    Growth during the forecast period will also be supported by increasing hospitality sector investments, with the government planning to invest RO11.9bn ($31bn) in tourism development projects by 2040 and supporting the construction of several hospitality projects.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15222694/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Contract award nears for Saudi Defence Ministry headquarters

    10 December 2025

     

    Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry (MoD) is preparing to award the contract to build a new headquarters building, as part of its P-563 programme in Riyadh.

    MEED understands that bid evaluation has reached advanced stages and the contract award is imminent.

    The MoD issued the tender in April. The commercial bids were submitted in September, as MEED reported.

    Located to the northwest of Riyadh, the P-563 programme includes the development of facilities and infrastructure to support the MoD’s broader initiatives under the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy.

    It covers the construction of:

    • A new military city featuring the MoD headquarters, support and logistics facilities, a residential and commercial community and space for future command centres
    • A National Defence University with a library, conference centre and academic buildings
    • A self-sustaining Joint Forces Command compound located approximately 50 kilometres from the military city

    The budget for the entire programme is expected to be $10bn-$12bn.

    In September 2023, MEED reported that Spain-headquartered Typsa had won two contracts for the project.

    The first contract, worth $11.4m, included data management, geographic information systems management, geotechnical reporting and the preparation of the phase one final traffic report. The contract duration was 270 days from the notice to proceed.

    The second contract, valued at $10.8m, involved preparing four conceptual masterplans for the P-563 site. It was set to last 255 days from the notice to proceed.

    These followed a $290m consultancy contract awarded to Typsa in March of the same year. The single-award task order covered a three-year base period, with an optional two-year extension.

    Typsa’s scope of work included programme management planning, communications, change and quality management and cost and schedule tracking.

    It also included design requirements, codes, standards and submission requirements, programme guidance, study integration, risk analysis and management, design reviews and a programme-of-work breakdown plan.

    READ THE DECEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Prospects widen as Middle East rail projects are delivered; India’s L&T storms up MEED’s EPC contractor ranking; Manama balances growth with fiscal challenges

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the December 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > BAHRAIN MARKET FOCUS: Manama pursues reform amid strain
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15222401/main.gif
    Yasir Iqbal