
NBK is the diamond sponsor for Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week conference
The Conference discussed policies that support renewable energy investments aimed at building a sustainable future for coming generations.
NBK' sponsorship of this event reflects its commitment to boosting sustainable development in line with Kuwait Vision 2035.
The bank is keen on supporting the country's strategic agenda for lowering carbon emissions and relying on renewable energy.
NBK constantly works hand in hand with its strategic partners to leave a distinct mark in the support for sustainable practices and clean energy transformation.
In continuation of its leading and responsible efforts in the field of sustainability, National Bank of Kuwait was the diamond sponsor for 'Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week' conference, which will be held from 11 to 13 May, in line with Kuwait spearheading the Board of Trustees of the Regional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
Through this sponsorship, NBK confirms its commitment to supporting initiatives of sustainability and efforts of clean energy transformation in Kuwait and the region. Several government institutions and leading private sector companies participated in this conference, further echoing the national cooperation towards achieving a more sustainable future.
NBK's sustainability team participated in a discussion panel titled 'Acclereating Sustainability through Green Projects and Businesses' to highlight the bank's leadership in green projects and its continuous efforts to fully integrate sustainable practices within its operations and institutional culture, further contributing to achieving sustainable development as per international practices.
The conference aimed to strengthen regional cooperation in essential fields such as research and development, advanced technologies in renewable energy sectors, energy efficiency, sustainable energy applications, in addition to the latest environmental technology tools. Moreover, it aimed to shed light on the most recent national innovations and initiatives in the fields of energy, water, and the environment, and enhance fruitful cooperation with international organizations, prestigious scientific research centers, and leading energy companies.
The conference included in-depth workshops and discussions about the latest international developments in energy policies and the effective ways of contributing to developing strategies that further support clean energy transformation and sustainability goals in the region.
It should be noted that this conference is a great platform for interactive exchange of ideas and innovative insights on clean energy transformation, which further enhances effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. As for the community, the conference raised awareness and encouraged innovation about using renewable and sustainable sources of energy and highlight its positive effect upon economic growth, such as attracting local and international renewable energy investments.
Many topics were explored in the conference, the most significant of which were policies that support investments in sustainable energy projects, ways of building a sustainable future for coming generations, the exchange of knowledge among participants, the latest international trends in clean energy transformation, and awareness and innovation in this field.
NBK's participation in this event reflects its commitment to boosting sustainable development and supporting a low-carbon economy in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and international sustainable development goals, as it believes in the importance of the collaborative efforts of all sectors to achieve a safe and sustainable future for all.
The bank has come a long way in our sustainability and clean-energy transformation efforts, as it made remarkable progress in the four pillars of the bank's environmental, social and institutional governance strategy which include Governance for Resilience, Responsible Banking, Capitalizing on Capabilities, and Investing in Communities. All these have contributed to enhancing NBK's leading role in building a better and more sustainable future.
Moreover, NBK is keen on cooperating with strategic partners to constantly support sustainable practices and promote Kuwait's agenda for lowering carbon emissions and relying on renewable energy.
NBK emphasizes its commitment to long-term sustainable practices and low operational effects by implementing low-carbon and energy efficiency initiatives, as this has helped the bank move in the right direction towards achieving low operational emissions and ultimately carbon neutrality by 2060.
It is noteworthy that NBK received several prestigious classifications from international institutions, which highlights its commitment to sustainability and governance, confirms its progress in integrating ESG standards in its core strategy, and enhances its leading role in implementing the best international practices.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dr. Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem, Minister of Electricity, Water, Renewable Energy honored NBK in appreciation of its sponsorship of the 'Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week' Conference, as well as its efforts in supporting sustainability initiatives, enhancing the future for upcoming generations, and effective contributions towards clean energy transformation locally and regionally.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
6 hours ago
- The National
UAE Property: ‘Can my landlord evict me for not agreeing to a rent rise?'
Question: I have been renting a villa in Dubai for the past three years, and my tenancy contract is due for renewal in a couple of months. My landlord has just informed me that he intends to increase the rent by 15 per cent, which seems excessive. I checked the Real Estate Regulatory Agency's rental index, and according to it, my current rent is already within the acceptable range for similar properties in my area. I've raised this with my landlord, but he insists on the increase and says if I don't agree, he will not renew the contract. I've always paid rent on time and maintained the property well. Do I have any legal recourse in this situation? Can he evict me just because I'm not agreeing to the rent hike? CT, Dubai Answer: Under Dubai's tenancy laws, specifically Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, landlords cannot arbitrarily increase rent beyond what is permitted by the Rera. The new smart rental index is the official tool that governs permissible rent increases and any proposed rise must fall within the parameters it outlines. If your current rent is already within the acceptable range compared to similar properties in your area, and the index confirms that a 15 per cent increase is not justified, then the landlord cannot legally impose such a rise. Furthermore, the landlord must provide a minimum of 90 days' written notice before the renewal date if he intends to amend any terms of the contract, which obviously includes the rent. If he has failed to do so within this time frame, the existing terms – including the current rent – will automatically carry forward into the new lease term. Regarding eviction, the law is clear: a landlord can only evict a tenant for specific reasons, such as wanting to move in themselves or to sell the property. These reasons must be supported by proper documentation. Even then, they are required to provide at least 12 months' notice through a notary public or registered mail. In your case, if the landlord is threatening to evict you purely because you are not accepting an illegal rent increase, this would not stand in front of the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC). You have every right to challenge such a demand and I would encourage you to gather all communication in writing and, if need be, file a complaint with the RDSC to uphold your rights. Q: I'm based in London and am considering buying a property in Dubai as an investment. While I'm familiar with the sale prices, I want to make sure there are no hidden costs or taxes that could catch me off guard. What additional costs should I expect when purchasing a property in the UAE, especially in terms of government fees, taxes and continuing expenses? GC, London A: The UAE, and particularly Dubai, remains one of the more attractive property markets globally due to its relatively low transaction costs and absence of annual property taxes. However, there are still several upfront and continuing costs you should be aware of: Upfront costs Dubai Land Department (DLD) fees: This is the most significant government-related cost. The DLD charges a 4 per cent transfer fee on the property's purchase price, plus an administration fee (typically Dh580 for apartments/villas). Agency commission: If you use an estate agent, expect to pay around 2 per cent of the purchase price as a commission. Trustee office fees: These are the service centres that process the legal transfer. The cost is around Dh4,000 for properties above Dh500,000 (and Dh2,000 for those below that threshold). Mortgage registration fee: If you're borrowing to buy, the DLD charges 0.25 per cent of the loan amount, plus Dh290 in admin fees. Valuation fee (for mortgages): Lenders typically charge around Dh2,500 to Dh3,500 for property valuation, paid by the buyer. Developer's NOC fee: For secondary market purchases, the developer must issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to transfer ownership. This usually costs between Dh500 and Dh5,000, depending on the developer. Continuing costs Service charges: These are annual fees paid by property owners to maintain the building or community (covering cleaning, security, landscaping, etc.). Charges vary widely by project and are calculated per square foot. Maintenance/repairs: These are not regulated and depend on the age and condition of the property. It's wise to budget for unexpected repairs. One of the major benefits in the UAE is that there is no annual property tax on owned real estate or any tax on selling the property either, making it an appealing investment environment. That said, if you let the property, you may need to consider income from rent in your home country's tax filings, depending on your residency status and tax obligations abroad. In conclusion, while there are no hidden taxes, the combined cost of these fees can total between 7 per cent to 8 per cent of the property price, so it's important to budget accordingly.


Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
From Jordan to UAE: How startup provides energy access to refugees
A Dubai-based technology start-up is helping power refugee camps in Jordan. Smart Eye Global is supporting the Azraq Refugee Camp, which faced severe electricity shortages, with a smart system that increased the electricity access from eight hours to 24 hours daily for over 1,000 residents. Energy waste was reduced by 47 percent, saving aid agencies over $50,000 annually in fuel costs. 'We implemented an advanced AI-powered Smart Energy Management System (EMS) to transform energy access and efficiency in the camp,' said Omar Asaad, co-founder and chairperson of Smart Eye Global. 'Environmentally, the system cut CO₂ emissions by 97.2 tonnes per year, equivalent to planting 2,500 trees. Socially, the impact included improved health and food safety, reduced tensions through fair energy distribution, and the creation of over 30 technical jobs for youth within the camp.' The EMS featured smart meters for real-time consumption monitoring and a dynamic load control to prioritise essential appliances like lighting and refrigeration. It also had a 'fair-share algorithm' to ensure equitable energy distribution across households. The system was integrated with solar-diesel hybrid technology to reduce dependency on costly diesel generators. Smart Eye has also partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP), to install smart solar systems in 350 refugee homes in Northern Jordan. The company also has an ongoing smart water project across 40 public schools in the area that uses sensors and AI to detect leaks and optimise usage, aiming to cut water waste by up to 35 percent and improve hygiene for over 10,000 students. Coming to the UAE Originally founded in Jordan, Smart Eye Global was selected as part of Cohort 9 of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) Innovation Accelerator program earlier this year. This enabled the group to shift to the UAE and scale its impact. 'We chose to set up an office here because the UAE is a strategic hub for clean technology, investment, and global partnerships,' said Omar. 'There is also a growing demand for smart energy solutions among manufacturers, real estate developers, and government entities.' He added that the company is also seeing 'strong opportunities' in the education and green building sectors, where we aim to support retrofitting efforts in schools, universities, and residential complexes. 'The UAE also offers a scalable platform to expand across the Gulf, thanks to its robust innovation ecosystem and sustainability goals,' he said. Pilot projects In the UAE, the company is working on providing AI-powered EMS and sustainability solutions that help industrial, commercial, and residential sectors cut energy waste and reduce carbon emissions in a smart, cost-effective way. 'We have already carried out successful pilot projects in the UAE, including energy audits and EMS deployments for industrial partners like IFFCO, where we helped improve operational efficiency,' he said. 'With support from MBRIF, we are planning to retrofit over 10 educational and commercial buildings with our EMS in 2025. We also aim to support public-private partnerships that enhance grid resilience and lower energy costs across the UAE.' In addition to this, the company is also working on some regional projects. In Oman, the group is part of the Omantel Innovation Labs accelerator and is preparing to launch their first energy efficiency pilots in industrial zones and smart buildings. 'We are also working with NGOs and local governments to deploy modular solar and EMS systems in underserved regions, especially in East and West Africa,' he said. 'These solutions will help provide 24/7 electricity to off-grid schools and health centers.'


The National
11 hours ago
- The National
Syria receives major wave of investments in six months since Assad's fall
Syria has attracted growing international investment and aid commitments in the six months since the fall of the regime of former president Bashar Al Assad, as the country seeks to rebuild its shattered economy. This rapid influx of investment marks a stark contrast to the years of economic decline and isolation that defined the country's post-2011 era. Since Mr Al Assad's departure last December, investors from across the region and beyond have started to take a stake in Syria's post-conflict recovery. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among the first nations to endorse the country's new leadership, with President Ahmad Al Shara invited to visit all three countries a handful of times since he took office in a bid to secure economic support. Major commitments include a $7 billion energy infrastructure deal led by Qatar's UCC Holding, a $6.5 billion aid pledge from international donors and an $800 million port development agreement with Dubai-based DP World. Half a century of recovery Despite the momentum, Syria's reconstruction needs range between $400 billion, according to the World Bank, and $1 trillion, as estimated by Mohammad Al-Shaar, Syria's Minister of Economy and Industry, last month. In February 2025, the UNDP published a report in which it estimated that Syria's economy could take half a century to recover to prewar levels. Before the 2011 uprising, Syria's economy was valued at $67.5 billion, ranking 68th globally and comparable to economies like Paraguay and Slovenia according to the World Bank. By 2023, however, years of conflict and sanctions had reduced the country's gross domestic product by 85 per cent to just $9 billion, placing it 129th in the global rankings. Between 2000 and 2010, Syria enjoyed steady economic growth averaging 4.5 per cent annually, with inflation below 5 per cent. At its peak, nominal GDP reached $60 billion, and the average income per member of the population approached $3,000. People power Despite the investments and interest, a key challenge will be getting the country workforce-ready. The prolonged war in Syria has displaced millions, with more than 6.2 million Syrians registered as refugees, and an additional 7.2 million internally displaced. This mass displacement has resulted in a substantial reduction in the available labour force, particularly in critical sectors such as construction and health care. A significant portion of the population has also experienced disruptions in education and vocational training, leading to a skills gap that hampers reconstruction efforts. To address these challenges, new initiatives like cash-for-work programmes have been introduced. These programmes aim to provide immediate employment opportunities while simultaneously rebuilding essential infrastructure. They also offer on-the-job training, helping to bridge the skills gap and empower communities to participate actively in the nation's recovery.