Slightly, but not seriously hit by the Arab Spring, Kuwait has managed to prove again that it is able to tackle challenges, despite remaining headwinds.

Kuwait’s national budget relies 95 percent on oil revenues, but the public and the private sector join forces to push for more diversification

The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, known as the Kuwait Fund, celebrated recently its 50th anniversary. But according to its General Director Abdulwahab Al-Bader, the Fund's journey in helping the most in need is far from over.

The result of the elections, however, sent encouraging signals throughout the Arab world. A total of 210 candidates vied for 50 seats, among them 50 women. Four women won seats—a result that can fairly be described as revolutionary within the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Kuwait and Iraq approached each other after Saddam’s regime was ousted in 2003. The carefully planned détente culminated on the 16th of July 2009 when Kuwait named its first ambassador to Iraq since the 1991 Gulf War.

Kuwait ruling family Al-Sabah has always said that all governments in the Gulf region should work for stability in the Persian Gulf. His Highness Sheikh Al-Sabah has no interest in any movement that might destabilize the gulf. However, Kuwait foreign relations with Iran remain complex, but have improved despite a number of unanswered questions.

Kuwait strategic economic plan is worth 30 billion dinars (US$104 billion). On the agenda is a detailed roadmap to implement Kuwait economic plan a long-term strategy after years of short-term planning. It is the first of its kind since 1986.

Kuwait plans to spend about 16 billion dinars (US$56bn) in the fiscal year starting April 1, 2010 one-third more than the current year as oil prices rise. The emirate, which expects to spend 12.1 billion dinars in the current fiscal year, posted a budget surplus of 2.74 billion dinars last year as it benefited from higher oil sales.

“There hasn’t been much Kuwait oil development here in the past 20-30 years compared to the rest of the region.  However, with the new four year economic development plan we are going to be able to see where Kuwait can go to drive development and change” - Wataniya Telecom ’s CEO Scott Gegenheimer

“If you look at the World Bank’s Protecting Investors Index, you will see that Kuwait has ranked 27th globally, which is better than most OECD countries. Therefore, the government is undertaking all the appropriate measures in order restore confidence and attract investment companies.” - Ahmad Al-Haroun , Minister of Commerce and Industry