Kuwait, being blessed with the largest oilfields in the world is situated at the head of the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. With a population of approximately 4.5 million which includes both locals and expatriates, Kuwait has maintained stable diplomatic relations across the globe, aiming at achieving international peace and security.
Mesopotamians, who ran the mercantile business were the first settlers in Kuwait. The foundation of the present sheikhdom of Kuwait dates from 1756 but later on became a British protectorate after the outbreak of the first World war. However, in 1961 the British eventually recognized Kuwait’s independence.
Kuwait was one of the most developed countries in the 1970’s throughout the region. Being one of the largest oil producing countries in the world, Kuwait was a country with quite bold ambitions which were taking shape at a relatively steady pace. Then came along the golden era of the 1980’s. The social and cultural openness in Kuwait gives a glimpse into the fascinating and progressive wonderland of entertainment.
With a thriving soccer team, bold and hilarious theatre coupled with a television network, broadcasting a great selection of international sitcoms and a fabulous selection of luxury restaurants were some of the few remarkable landmarks of the diverse and modern society.
From legendary departmental outlets to exquisite furniture stores, Kuwait offered a unique and incredible experience for locals and expats alike. Housing enviable selection of elegant shopping malls, amusement parks and attractive food stores, Kuwait offered a wide variety of world class extravaganza. It was widely regarded as “Paris of the Gulf” with an excellent and highly desirable lifestyle.
While Kuwait was enjoying its bountiful era completely oblivious of the dark and difficult times ahead, its neighbor Iraq was emerging out of a tedious Iran- Iraq war. This war which lasted from 1980-1988, had severely strained the Iraqi social and political life and at the same time had adversely affected the economic status of the country. It not only created economic dislocation but also deteriorated the agriculture sector of the state.
Apart from all this Iraq was also laden with massive debts as it had financed the war through loans from the UAE and Kuwait. The Iraqi President wanted the Gulf states to cancel the Iraqi debt, but Kuwait flatly refused which eventually ignited a conflict between Kuwait and Iraq, thus leading to the Gulf war.
Although the islands of Warba and Bubiyan had been a bone of contention between Kuwait and Iraq for quite some time, but the loan issue added fuel to the fire, thus resulting into a full fledge war.
Unexpectedly, on August 2 1990, Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait resulting in the death of more than 1000 Kuwaiti civilians along with major damage to the country’s infra structure. The Iraqi invasion was met with swift condemnation by the international community thus leaving Iraq isolated both politically and economically.
Eventually a US led coalition launched operation “Desert storm” which was backed by massive public support. After well targeted air attacks and a successful ground campaign, ultimately Kuwait was liberated. After the cessation of hostilities and the re-establishment of Kuwait’s sovereignty, the restoration of basic services immediately started, and the ruling elite returned home with the agenda to rebuild the shattered country.
Although the government had prioritized the reconstruction and aimed at restoring the confidence of major investors, however the effort to rebuild Kuwait was a complex and challenging task as the invasion had effected every aspect of the Kuwaiti life. Most of the progress made by the state during the past years was unfortunately rolled back due to the war.
Meanwhile the courage and commitment of the government to accept the challenges and provide access to services bolstered public confidence in the governments ability to administer. United States civil military also undertook a range of specialised operations such as repair of hospitals, ports, infrastructure guaranteeing effective and durable post war recovery.
Despite the fact that rebuilding Kuwait was a unique and complex task in unprecedented ways, Kuwaiti residents worked tirelessly along side the government employees in order to bring the country back to life. Apart from this the Gulf war was responsible for increasing the US military footprint all across the Arabian Peninsula. The United States not only benefitted economically from its expanded security role in Kuwait and later on all across the gulf but also through hefty payments made to troops for post war reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Today Kuwait, being a haven of stability amongst the Middle Eastern states is OPEC’s fourth largest oil producer. Over the years Kuwait’s economy has overcome multifarious challenges and is making steady progress with respect to digital transformation in the economic sector and at the same time is focusing on energy efficient solutions and sustainable practices.
As one of the earliest Gulf countries to experience oil urbanisation, with time Kuwait has eventually grown from an impoverished society to become a rather progressive state and a modern metropolis of skyscrapers.
Simultaneously Kuwait has also been successful in preserving its traditional Islamic values. Despite the impact of western lifestyle, the Kuwaitis not only adhere to their values and traditions but also take great pride in the Islamic culture and practices.
The future for Kuwait is definitely promising and dynamic as Kuwait’s reforms have facilitated various sectors of economy thereby sending a clear signal that Kuwait stands poised to embrace the challenges and is ready to progress towards meeting international standards of excellence.
Business friendly reforms, promotion of young entrepreneur workforce and its ambition to strengthen warm ties across the globe are a testament to the flourishing creativity and wider ability of the Kuwaiti leadership to withstand the testing times and eventually converting resilience into superpower.
Mesopotamians, who ran the mercantile business were the first settlers in Kuwait. The foundation of the present sheikhdom of Kuwait dates from 1756 but later on became a British protectorate after the outbreak of the first World war. However, in 1961 the British eventually recognized Kuwait’s independence.
Kuwait was one of the most developed countries in the 1970’s throughout the region. Being one of the largest oil producing countries in the world, Kuwait was a country with quite bold ambitions which were taking shape at a relatively steady pace. Then came along the golden era of the 1980’s. The social and cultural openness in Kuwait gives a glimpse into the fascinating and progressive wonderland of entertainment.
With a thriving soccer team, bold and hilarious theatre coupled with a television network, broadcasting a great selection of international sitcoms and a fabulous selection of luxury restaurants were some of the few remarkable landmarks of the diverse and modern society.
From legendary departmental outlets to exquisite furniture stores, Kuwait offered a unique and incredible experience for locals and expats alike. Housing enviable selection of elegant shopping malls, amusement parks and attractive food stores, Kuwait offered a wide variety of world class extravaganza. It was widely regarded as “Paris of the Gulf” with an excellent and highly desirable lifestyle.
While Kuwait was enjoying its bountiful era completely oblivious of the dark and difficult times ahead, its neighbor Iraq was emerging out of a tedious Iran- Iraq war. This war which lasted from 1980-1988, had severely strained the Iraqi social and political life and at the same time had adversely affected the economic status of the country. It not only created economic dislocation but also deteriorated the agriculture sector of the state.
Apart from all this Iraq was also laden with massive debts as it had financed the war through loans from the UAE and Kuwait. The Iraqi President wanted the Gulf states to cancel the Iraqi debt, but Kuwait flatly refused which eventually ignited a conflict between Kuwait and Iraq, thus leading to the Gulf war.
Although the islands of Warba and Bubiyan had been a bone of contention between Kuwait and Iraq for quite some time, but the loan issue added fuel to the fire, thus resulting into a full fledge war.
Unexpectedly, on August 2 1990, Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait resulting in the death of more than 1000 Kuwaiti civilians along with major damage to the country’s infra structure. The Iraqi invasion was met with swift condemnation by the international community thus leaving Iraq isolated both politically and economically.
Eventually a US led coalition launched operation “Desert storm” which was backed by massive public support. After well targeted air attacks and a successful ground campaign, ultimately Kuwait was liberated. After the cessation of hostilities and the re-establishment of Kuwait’s sovereignty, the restoration of basic services immediately started, and the ruling elite returned home with the agenda to rebuild the shattered country.
Although the government had prioritized the reconstruction and aimed at restoring the confidence of major investors, however the effort to rebuild Kuwait was a complex and challenging task as the invasion had effected every aspect of the Kuwaiti life. Most of the progress made by the state during the past years was unfortunately rolled back due to the war.
Meanwhile the courage and commitment of the government to accept the challenges and provide access to services bolstered public confidence in the governments ability to administer. United States civil military also undertook a range of specialised operations such as repair of hospitals, ports, infrastructure guaranteeing effective and durable post war recovery.
Despite the fact that rebuilding Kuwait was a unique and complex task in unprecedented ways, Kuwaiti residents worked tirelessly along side the government employees in order to bring the country back to life. Apart from this the Gulf war was responsible for increasing the US military footprint all across the Arabian Peninsula. The United States not only benefitted economically from its expanded security role in Kuwait and later on all across the gulf but also through hefty payments made to troops for post war reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Today Kuwait, being a haven of stability amongst the Middle Eastern states is OPEC’s fourth largest oil producer. Over the years Kuwait’s economy has overcome multifarious challenges and is making steady progress with respect to digital transformation in the economic sector and at the same time is focusing on energy efficient solutions and sustainable practices.
As one of the earliest Gulf countries to experience oil urbanisation, with time Kuwait has eventually grown from an impoverished society to become a rather progressive state and a modern metropolis of skyscrapers.
Simultaneously Kuwait has also been successful in preserving its traditional Islamic values. Despite the impact of western lifestyle, the Kuwaitis not only adhere to their values and traditions but also take great pride in the Islamic culture and practices.
The future for Kuwait is definitely promising and dynamic as Kuwait’s reforms have facilitated various sectors of economy thereby sending a clear signal that Kuwait stands poised to embrace the challenges and is ready to progress towards meeting international standards of excellence.
Business friendly reforms, promotion of young entrepreneur workforce and its ambition to strengthen warm ties across the globe are a testament to the flourishing creativity and wider ability of the Kuwaiti leadership to withstand the testing times and eventually converting resilience into superpower.