13 May 2010
(MENAFN) Kuwait’s parliament approved a privatization legislation that would allow the sale of government-owned entities, including some downstream energy assets, Reuters reported.
In the parliament’s initial vote last month, several members opposed the inclusion of any energy assets in the privatization bill, saying that these assets should remain under the state control to avoid corruption.
Kuwait’s oil and gas fields are off-limits to foreign investment and the new legislation left them that way. Kuwait’s public utilities are held by the government, which heavily subsidizes them.
The new legislation excludes the privatization of the production of oil and natural gas, oil refineries and the health and education sectors.
The new bill leaves the government with a stake no higher than 20 percent of privatized firms. Forty percent will be offered in an initial public offering to Kuwaiti nationals, according to the bill approved by the parliament.
At least 35 percent of the shares will be offered in a public auction open to local listed shareholding firms, and other firms that the council approves, says the new bill that has to be also approved by the cabinet and the emir.
A Supreme Privatization Council, which will be headed by the prime minister, will draw up the policies of the offerings, and all privatized firms should be sharia-compliant.
25 Mar 2025
BBK’s General Assembly Approves 35% Cash Dividend Distribution to Shareholders
12 Mar 2025
Mr. Yaser Alsharifi completes Harvard Business School Presidents’ Program in Leadership
19 Feb 2025
Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait BSC announces the transfer of HSBC Middle East, Bahrain Retail Business to BBK.
27 Jan 2025
BBK offers customers with exclusive Tas’heel and Mazaya Finance to own their dream home
15 Jan 2025
BBK Signs Strategic Partnership with Bahrain Airport Company to Develop “Express Cargo Village”
08 Jan 2025
Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait and Global Payment Services Deliver the First Advanced Fraud Prevention Solution for Wallet Provisioning in the Kingdom of Bahrain
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience and by clicking “I Accept” below, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn more