Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” served as the gold sponsor for the “Thought Leadership Circle: Unlocking Kuwait’s Market Potential,” a high-level roundtable held on June 10, 2026, aimed at exploring ways to deepen Kuwait’s capital markets and enhance its investment landscape. The event, co-hosted by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and The Business Year, brought together senior figures from both the public and private sectors to discuss strategies for attracting investment and reinforcing institutional frameworks critical for the country’s long-term economic growth and Vision 2035 goals.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and business leaders to engage in dialogue focused on expanding access to capital markets, encouraging family-owned enterprises to institutionalize and tap into public markets, and boosting the role of fund management in directing capital toward productive sectors. Participants also addressed the importance of attracting foreign investment and leveraging public-private partnerships to support national development priorities.

Ali Khalil, Chief Executive Officer of Markaz, emphasized the progress Kuwait has made in developing its capital markets, while noting that the next phase of growth hinges on increasing market participation, drawing long-term investors, and strengthening ties between capital markets and the real economy. He highlighted the need for fair and predictable regulatory frameworks, greater liquidity, and efficient mechanisms for market entry and exit. Khalil also pointed to the significance of supporting family businesses through generational transitions, introducing innovative investment products, attracting global asset managers, and mobilizing private capital via public-private partnerships to build a more dynamic and competitive investment environment.

Markaz’s involvement in the event reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue that advances Kuwait’s capital markets, investment ecosystem, and overall economic competitiveness. Through engagement with various stakeholders, the institution aims to support initiatives that enhance market efficiency, attract investment, and create sustainable value aligned with Kuwait’s Vision 2035 economic development strategy.