Kuwait Conference Focuses on Women's Economic Role

Lei Wa Lakom opened its inaugural Women & the Economy Conference at the Grand Hyatt Kuwait, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, academics and women leaders to discuss women’s participation in the economy. The event took place under the patronage and attendance of Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Marzouq, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, in collaboration with Kuwait University and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS).

A national economic priority

Taiba Alhumaidhi, Founder of Lei Wa Lakom, opened the conference with a keynote address on why women’s economic inclusion is a national imperative. The minister then spoke to participants, whose discussions centered on ways technology, finance and policy could expand women’s participation in the economy.

“Our patronage of the Women & the Economy Conference reflects the State's commitment to women's economic empowerment as a key pillar of a more competitive and diversified national economy, in line with New Kuwait Vision 2035,” Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Marzouq said. He noted that Kuwaiti women had shown their ability to contribute across sectors, and said dialogue among government, the private sector and academia could help create new opportunities.

Alhumaidhi called Kuwaiti women “a cornerstone of the country's economic and development journey.” The conference, she said, aimed to bring policymakers, investors and business leaders together to share knowledge and strengthen Kuwait’s position as a hub for inclusive economic dialogue.

She thanked the minister for his patronage and attendance, along with the sponsors and partners supporting the conference’s first edition. The event would continue the following day, Alhumaidhi said, as organizers worked to develop practical recommendations and strategic partnerships.

Business support and conference panels

National Bank of Kuwait announced NBK FoundHER, a programme presented by Maryam Al-Nasralla, AVP – Talent Management at NBK. Designed for Kuwaiti women who already own businesses, it offers training in finance, marketing, legal fundamentals, business growth and presentation skills, as well as access to experts and networking opportunities.

At the programme’s conclusion, participants are to present growth plans to a panel of judges. Selected projects will receive financial grants to put their plans into action.

The first panel, “Present-Day Realities,” examined women’s economic participation in Kuwait, including challenges and success stories. Tareq Al-Saleh, Managing Director - Wealth Management at InvestGB, moderated the discussion. Panelists included Badria Alhumaidhi, CEO of Boubyan Capital; Bibi Marafie, Director of the One Stop Shop Department at the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA); Shaikha AlMugahwi, Executive Manager Premium Sales at Kuwait Finance House (KFH); and Lulwa AlFouzan, Vice President Human Resources at Kuwait Investment Company (KIC).

Artificial intelligence, fintech and policy took center stage in the second panel, “The Future of Women in the Economy.” Ambassador Qudsi Rasheed, British Ambassador to Kuwait, moderated. Participants included Henadi Alsaleh, CEO of Agility; Kriti Gupta, Executive Director and Global Investment Strategist at JP Morgan; Satoko Nozaki, Digital & IT Director at IKEA; and Amal Al-Duwaisan, SVP of the Digital Banking Group at National Bank of Kuwait (NBK).

Further discussions planned

The conference was set to continue the following day with a closed high-level roundtable at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Organizers planned the session, titled “From Participation to Economic Contribution: Unlocking Women's Economic Potential in Kuwait,” in collaboration with the Union of Investment Companies.

A talk for students at Kuwait University was also on the programme. Its title was “Your Future, Your Money, Your Move: Jobs, AI, Money & the Decisions That Will Shape Your Next 10 Years.” The conference program therefore included discussions for policymakers and business leaders, along with a session directed at students.