عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Kuwait Unveils Plan to Prepare Durra Field, Sovereign Investment Fund for Local Investment

People watch as the "buck moon" rises over the skyline of Kuwait City on July 3, 2023. (AFP)
People watch as the "buck moon" rises over the skyline of Kuwait City on July 3, 2023. (AFP)
TT
TT

Kuwait Unveils Plan to Prepare Durra Field, Sovereign Investment Fund for Local Investment

People watch as the "buck moon" rises over the skyline of Kuwait City on July 3, 2023. (AFP)
People watch as the "buck moon" rises over the skyline of Kuwait City on July 3, 2023. (AFP)

The Kuwaiti government has announced a plan to strengthen the comprehensive infrastructure of the offshore Durra oil and gas field.

Not only that, the government will also look to elevate the production of unrestricted gas (excluding the Divided Zone) from 521 million cubic feet per day to a staggering 930 million cubic feet per day.

The recently unveiled four-year government action plan, spanning from 2023 to 2027, has been submitted to the National Assembly, outlining the meticulous preparations for the infrastructure development of the Durra field.

According to the plan, the infrastructure provisioning for the field is slated to take place in the fourth year of the program.

Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al-Sadoun has extended an invitation to convene a special session next Tuesday to discuss the government’s action plan.

The government has revealed its intention to study the establishment of a sovereign investment fund to drive development and enhance local economic activity.

Additionally, it includes a strategy to elevate the classification of Kuwait’s financial markets from emerging markets to advanced emerging markets by the FTSE Russell Index.

Moreover, another plan aims to gradually digitize 90% of government services over the next four years.

The government plan aims to empower the private sector to fulfill its role “under effective state oversight” while ensuring that the state establishes an atmosphere of trust to encourage local investment and attract foreign capital.

The government’s action program also includes the development of a comprehensive framework for reviewing salaries in the public sector through updating the strategic alternative study.

This is intended to align compensation with merit and productivity, while encouraging a shift towards private sector employment to streamline costs on the state’s finances.

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah emphasized that the government’s action program aims to solidify reforms, address challenges, and boost development for the progress of the country.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Capricorn Energy Sees Production Boost, Driven by Growth in Egypt

People run to catch a tram in the coastal city of Alexandria, on February 18, 2026. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
People run to catch a tram in the coastal city of Alexandria, on February 18, 2026. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
TT
TT

Capricorn Energy Sees Production Boost, Driven by Growth in Egypt

People run to catch a tram in the coastal city of Alexandria, on February 18, 2026. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
People run to catch a tram in the coastal city of Alexandria, on February 18, 2026. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)

Oil producer Capricorn Energy said on Monday it expects higher production in 2026 compared with last year, supported by the expansion of its Egypt operations.

In May, the Scottish company and Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) agreed to merge eight concessions ⁠in Egypt into a ⁠single deal under a joint venture with Cheiron Oil and Gas.

Capricorn expects 2026 production in the range of 18,000-22,000 barrels ⁠of oil equivalent per day (boepd), boosted by the agreement with EGPC and growth in the region.

Capricorn CEO Randy Neely said, "We have entered 2026 with strong momentum as our 2025 exit rate of 21,003 boepd and robust balance sheet ⁠position ⁠us to capitalize on development opportunities on the merged concession."

According to Reuters, Capricorn Energy also said it continues to evaluate M&A opportunities in the UK North Sea, Egypt and general MENA region.

The company forecast 2025 production between 17,000 and 21,000 boepd.

Business

US to Stop Collecting Tariffs Deemed Illegal by Supreme Court on Tuesday

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Shipping containers stand stacked while others rest on truck transport chassis at the Port of Los Angeles on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Shipping containers stand stacked while others rest on truck transport chassis at the Port of Los Angeles on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
TT
TT

US to Stop Collecting Tariffs Deemed Illegal by Supreme Court on Tuesday

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Shipping containers stand stacked while others rest on truck transport chassis at the Port of Los Angeles on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Shipping containers stand stacked while others rest on truck transport chassis at the Port of Los Angeles on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

The US Customs and Border Protection agency said it will halt collections of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act at 12:01 a.m. EST (0501 GMT) on Tuesday, more than three days after the Supreme Court declared the duties illegal.

The agency said in a message to shippers on its Cargo Systems ‌Messaging Service (CSMS) ‌that it will de-activate all tariff ‌codes ⁠associated with President ⁠Donald Trump's prior IEEPA-related orders as of Tuesday.

The IEEPA tariff collection halt coincides with Trump's imposition of a new, 15% global tariff under a different legal authority to replace the ones struck down by the Supreme ⁠Court on Friday.

CBP gave no reason why ‌it was continuing ‌to collect the tariffs at ports of entry days ‌after the Supreme Court's ruling, and its message ‌offered no information about possible refunds for importers.

The message noted that the collection halt does not affect any other tariffs imposed by Trump, including ‌those under the Section 232 national security statute and the Section 301 unfair ⁠trade practices ⁠statute.

"CBP will provide additional guidance to the trade community through CSMS messages as appropriate," the agency said.

Reuters reported on Friday that the Supreme Court decision made more than $175 billion in US Treasury revenue generated by the IEEPA tariffs subject to potential refunds, based on an estimate by Penn-Wharton Budget Model economists.

Their estimate from a ground-up forecasting model showed that IEEPA-based tariffs were generating more than $500 million per day in gross revenue.

Business

Gold Climbs to 3-week High as US Tariff Ruling Stokes Uncertainty

A vendor displays gold bracelets for sale in a gold shop at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (AFP)
A vendor displays gold bracelets for sale in a gold shop at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (AFP)
TT
TT

Gold Climbs to 3-week High as US Tariff Ruling Stokes Uncertainty

A vendor displays gold bracelets for sale in a gold shop at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (AFP)
A vendor displays gold bracelets for sale in a gold shop at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (AFP)

Gold climbed to a three-week high on Monday as uncertainty stoked by the US Supreme Court's decision to strike down a vast swathe of President Donald Trump's tariffs pressured the dollar and pushed investors to the safety of bullion.

Spot gold climbed 1.1% to $5,158.29 per ounce by 0558 GMT, having earlier hit its highest since January 30. ‌US gold futures for ‌April delivery were up 2% at $5,180.40.

"The court's ‌tariff ⁠ruling has, aside ⁠from earning the ire of the US president, added another layer of uncertainty to global markets, with traders again turning to gold as a defensive play," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

The US Supreme Court struck down Trump's sweeping tariffs that he pursued under a law meant for use in national emergencies, ⁠handing the Republican president a stinging defeat in ‌a landmark ruling on Friday ‌with major implications for the global economy.

After the court ruling, Trump said ‌he would raise a temporary tariff from 10% to 15% ‌on US imports from all countries.

Wall Street futures and the dollar slid in Asia on Monday as murkiness around US tariffs revived the "sell America" trade, Reuters reported.

"Whether gold can claw its way back above $5,400 in the near-term ‌may rest on how long tariff uncertainty lingers and whether the US engages in military action ⁠against Iran," Waterer ⁠said.

Iran has indicated it is prepared to make concessions on its nuclear program in talks with the US in return for the lifting of sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, as it seeks to avert a US attack.

Meanwhile, data on Friday showed that underlying US inflation increased more than expected in December, and signs are pointing to a further acceleration in January, which would strengthen expectations that the Federal Reserve won't cut interest rates before June.

Spot silver climbed 2.9% to $86.98 per ounce, a more than two-week high.
Spot platinum edged 0.1% higher to $2,158.55 per ounce, while palladium slipped 0.2% to $1,745.09.