Kuwait food subsidies rise 20% in April-May to KD56.4 million
This increased by 75 percent in May, totaling KD14 million compared to only KD8 million in April -- an annual decrease of 12.5 percent compared to the subsidies provided for basic commodities in May 2024, which amounted to about KD16 million. Trade support for dairy products and infant nutrition during the two months amounted to around KD2.4 million or 4.3 percent of the total value of subsidies.
It states a monthly decrease of 8.3 percent or KD104,000 -- KD1.3 million in April and KD1.1 million in May. Construction materials accounted for approximately 57 percent of the value of subsidies provided for food supplies during the two months, totaling KD32.2 million -- 2.4 percent monthly increase, totaling KD16.3 million in May compared to KD15.9 million in April. The total number of ration cards by the end of May 2025 reached 272,000 -- 2.2 percent annual increase over the 266,000 in May 2024. The number of individuals benefiting from subsidized food supplies in May reached 229,000 -- three percent annual increase compared to 222,000 in May last year.
The number of trademark registration applications in May reached 1,255 -- a 12 percent increase over the 1,120 applications in April. A total of 1,162 trademarks were published -- two percent more than the previous month. The number of grievances against a trademark registration decision or suspension of a condition reached 10 -- 233 percent increase. The number of objections to the acceptance of a trademark registration reached 18, and 616 trademark renewal applications during the final year of its protection period -- decreased by 15 percent compared to the previous month. The number of trademark renewal publication transactions reached 664 -- 16 percent decrease compared to April. The number of license publication transactions reached 18 -- a decrease of 18 percent compared to April.
The number of patent applications (individuals) reached seven and patent applications (companies) reached 70 – 25 percent increase. The number of patent grant and publication transactions (companies) reached seven transactions – 250 percent increase. The number of correction, amendment or addition to a patent application (companies) reached 11 – 57 percent increase. The number of transfer of rights to the application or transfer of patent ownership (companies) reached two in May. The number of industrial design filing requests reached 48 – 45 percent increase compared to April. The number of industrial design grant and publication transactions reached 15 – 63 percent decrease. The number of requests to change the owner (individuals) reached two, as well as two transactions for publication of fees and six industrial design renewal publication transactions -- 14 percent decrease in May.
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Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Shrimp prices drop; Kuwait Bay fishing ban back in spotlight
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Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait food subsidies rise 20% in April-May to KD56.4 million
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: Subsidies provided by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for various food items increased by 20 percent, amounting to KD56.41 million in April and May -- KD25.10 million in April and KD31.31 million in May; a 4.3 percent year-on-year decrease compared to KD32.70 million food subsidies in May 2024. Recent statistics from the ministry showed that the group of basic commodities disbursed through the ration card accounted for about 38.6 percent of the value of subsidies for food supplies in April and May, amounting to KD22 million. This increased by 75 percent in May, totaling KD14 million compared to only KD8 million in April -- an annual decrease of 12.5 percent compared to the subsidies provided for basic commodities in May 2024, which amounted to about KD16 million. Trade support for dairy products and infant nutrition during the two months amounted to around KD2.4 million or 4.3 percent of the total value of subsidies. It states a monthly decrease of 8.3 percent or KD104,000 -- KD1.3 million in April and KD1.1 million in May. Construction materials accounted for approximately 57 percent of the value of subsidies provided for food supplies during the two months, totaling KD32.2 million -- 2.4 percent monthly increase, totaling KD16.3 million in May compared to KD15.9 million in April. The total number of ration cards by the end of May 2025 reached 272,000 -- 2.2 percent annual increase over the 266,000 in May 2024. The number of individuals benefiting from subsidized food supplies in May reached 229,000 -- three percent annual increase compared to 222,000 in May last year. The number of trademark registration applications in May reached 1,255 -- a 12 percent increase over the 1,120 applications in April. A total of 1,162 trademarks were published -- two percent more than the previous month. The number of grievances against a trademark registration decision or suspension of a condition reached 10 -- 233 percent increase. The number of objections to the acceptance of a trademark registration reached 18, and 616 trademark renewal applications during the final year of its protection period -- decreased by 15 percent compared to the previous month. The number of trademark renewal publication transactions reached 664 -- 16 percent decrease compared to April. The number of license publication transactions reached 18 -- a decrease of 18 percent compared to April. The number of patent applications (individuals) reached seven and patent applications (companies) reached 70 – 25 percent increase. The number of patent grant and publication transactions (companies) reached seven transactions – 250 percent increase. The number of correction, amendment or addition to a patent application (companies) reached 11 – 57 percent increase. The number of transfer of rights to the application or transfer of patent ownership (companies) reached two in May. The number of industrial design filing requests reached 48 – 45 percent increase compared to April. The number of industrial design grant and publication transactions reached 15 – 63 percent decrease. The number of requests to change the owner (individuals) reached two, as well as two transactions for publication of fees and six industrial design renewal publication transactions -- 14 percent decrease in May.
Arab Times
09-06-2025
- Arab Times
Your Highness the Prime Minister, the thread and needle are in your hands. So what's next? Either work or leave
YOUR HIGHNESS the Prime Minister, Your Excellency, the Minister of Finance, and Your Excellency, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, if boosting the gross domestic product is truly a top priority for the state, then it must think outside the box, and avoid recycling outdated solutions. Introducing fees and taxes will not yield results during an economic downturn, especially amid limited commercial activity, the absence of a clear structural development plan in all sectors, and a halt in reforming laws that hinder investment, such as the usufruct law, which still contains several obstacles, along with other legislation needed to stimulate growth in industry, agriculture, and various vital services. Shuwaikh Industrial Area and other industrial zones are clear examples in this regard. I urge His Highness the Prime Minister, along with the Ministers of Finance and Commerce and Industry, to visit these areas and witness firsthand the scale and vibrancy of economic activities being driven entirely by individual efforts, with minimal government involvement, while the government remains occupied with issues that provoke public concern and contribute to social unrest. In Shuwaikh Industrial area, as in all similar areas, there are many activities that attract investors. These businesses operate almost entirely through the efforts of expatriate residents. Citizens are largely absent from these activities, benefiting only through rental income or by investing in licenses issued to them. As a result, a huge portion of profits is transferred abroad. Foreign workers, employees, and investors lack the motivation to remain in Kuwait long-term due to the absence of incentives found in neighboring countries, such as policies that support entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, and ensure economic stability. In countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, investors are offered strong incentives, attracting many Kuwaiti companies to invest there. In contrast, Kuwait ties usufruct rights to the annual renewal of licenses, creating uncertainty for factory and facility owners and discouraging them from investing in development. Therefore, the Council of Ministers should focus on utilizing the labor force represented by stateless residents (Bedoun) and those whose citizenship has been revoked, rather than relying solely on decisions to revoke citizenship and suppress creativity. To be clear, I am not referring to those who lost their citizenship due to fraud or dual nationality. I hope the government encourages the Bedoun residents and those whose citizenship has been revoked to work in these areas, and makes them feel secure, so they can spend their money inside Kuwait. I suggest the government offer investors the option to purchase industrial and commercial plots during a specific grace period, similar to the system in Saudi Arabia, or will become a fair partner in the rental value. This approach would kill two birds with a stone. Also, Saudi Arabia provides tax incentives for industrial, agricultural, and renewable energy projects. It is true that in recent years, some parliamentary blocs have attempted to obstruct development under flimsy pretexts, but their real aim was to secure a 'share of the cake' or fuel disputes between MPs and ministers. Today, ministerial positions have largely stabilized, giving ministers significant potential to drive development and amend obstructive, outdated laws enacted during previous National Assembly terms. Indeed, several laws need reconsideration, and Kuwait must break free from the constraints imposed by the stagnation of innovative ideas that encourage investment and the growth of the national economy. We have repeatedly stated that undeveloped land holds little value unless facilities are established on it and profitable production is achieved. Only then does its value increase significantly. Moreover, trademarks gain importance as indicators of economic strength and stability. Unfortunately, in Kuwait, these matters are often treated as if they were mere market transactions, rather than issues of national significance. Your Highness the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers can no longer claim any excuse for failing to develop the economy. The Cabinet now holds 'the thread and the needle' in its hands and has full control over the process. The Council today combines both legislative and executive powers. Therefore, either work or leave!
