Although there is a lot of talk about planning for the "time after oil," the "black gold", along with gas, remains the primary source of income for the Kuwaiti government.

Few listed stocks in the Gulf have performed since the start of 2012 as well as AREF Energy Holding. The Kuwaiti firm invests in the oil and gas industry only in line with Islamic law (Shari'ah). Marcopolis looks behind the scenes of this exceptional energy company.

Learning for Life: Kuwait might not be at the top of the usual MBA Business School rankings, but the northern Gulf state does have institutions of higher education which are highly regarded in the region.

The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is one of the best universities in Kuwat; an independent, private, equal opportunity, and coeducational liberal arts institution of higher education. The educational, cultural, and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning.

Although the well-capitalized Kuwaiti banking sector has digested the financial crisis by bringing down the share of non-performing loans (NPLs) and getting back to profits, the political ups and downs as well as the economic (oil) monoculture in the northern Gulf state prevent the sector from achieving its full potential.

In 2012, the Kuwait banks are cleaning up their balance sheets as a response to the consequences of the financial crisis of 2008/09 that is most likely going to continue throughout 2012.

In 2012, the Kuwait banks are cleaning up their balance sheets as a response to the consequences of the financial crisis of 2008/09 that is most likely going to continue throughout 2012.

It has become common knowledge that basic health-care is provided free to Kuwaiti citizens. With a total population of 3.5 million people, of which a third are Kuwaiti nationals, the oil-rich Dawlat al-Kuwait, the State of Kuwait, had so far few problems paying for doctor visits.