Kuwaitism (yes he’s back) posted a BBC report he found on Kuwaiti entrepreneurs. It’s a very short piece which is disappointing since it’s a very interesting topic. I really couldn’t figure out what BBC was trying to say with this piece, all I understood was that the Kuwaiti government helps Kuwaitis set up their businesses, so why aren’t there more entrepreneurs? That’s fine as an intro but they spoke to just 2 entrepreneurs and one government official and we’re really left with no investigation or conclusion. For example I’m sure laziness isn’t the only reason for lack of entrepreneurship, what about the fact that the market is flooded with international chains? Maybe rents are too high as well? I’m not sure since I am just guessing here which is why I would have liked BBC to really dig into this subject. If you can’t see the video above for some reason here is the [Link]
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22 replies on “Kuwaiti Entrepreneurs”
Thanks for the link!
As to the topic itself, I think its more than laziness or rents … theres a social and cultural aspect which I think is influenced by two main factors –
1) Risk aversion – stick to the job you have and the safety with it.
2) The concept of failure – a failed business is a “badge of honor” in Silicon Valley according to experts there. A failed business is looked at as a failure only here.
I touched upon the topic in a different way in an older post about tech companies (in Arabic) – https://www.kuwaitism.com/2011/06/15/richest-people-and-technolog/
Back the old subject i just linked: check it out, NEVER ENDING STORY
i believe that’s a truly wrong statement, to say that there are not so many Kuwaiti entrepreneurs. For small businesses around the country, yes that’s totally right, since the government’s paperwork makes it harder business to be established and the government’s regulations as well.
This.
You should correct yourself when you say “international” chains. There are more US/UK based chains specifically that cater to Kuwait’s consumerism than any other chains. There are plenty of Arab, East Asian, Indian chains that would do well among expats but would fail miserably among Kuwaitis as the craze for US/European products never ends. Stuck in the midst of this will be Kuwaiti businesses as well as people will dismiss them as imitations of western products and inferior. And with so much stress on Kuwaitization and localization, you think Kuwaiti businesses will be open to hiring expats for long term?
+1
Most of the people here just wanna follow western culture and behaviors.. and even if given option, they might move to either US or UK.. and the giant entrepreneurs are so giant… that small fishes can’t survive
To me its not about following the western culture as much as lack of creativity and differentiation in local products. For example, the cupcake business. I am sick of the word and sight of cupcakes because of how many people went into it. In the end, they all have similar names, and they’re all made from ready-mix supplies. Needless to say, they’re super over-priced for what they are. These businesses don’t even have rent or any other costs that come with brick and mortar.
Now with ramadan, most businesses are dara3as. They all look the same. Most look like something I’d find in a costume shop. The sellers label themselves as designers and sell it for a premium.
Even when it’s not in the retail sector. Qi63a 13 was cheap rip-off south park. And our series are the worst the world have seem. Same plot, HORRIBLE acting, horrible wardrobe and makeup, kila mana7a oo bachee, same directing style.
Another example is saher ilail. Everything local (including them)… BRILLIANT!
I’m the biggest anti-kuwaiti product/production advocate because of how bad they usually are. But saher ilail, for example, shows how something local, but is different, with time and effort well-spent could embrace the love of the locally produced
hey mark..uve been voted as the blog of the week apparently by AT
https://www.arabtimesonline.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
If you check the facebook page and weblink googling ‘kuwaiti entrepreneurs’ I found that a lot of the ‘businesses’ were simply search engines…..
Agree with Bu Yousif
One of the example for Kuwait base entrepreneurs
is http://www.facebookwallforsale.com
check out this site:
https://www.qikmeals.com
this shows that Kuwaiti entrepreneurs are Up normal.
WITHOUT any gov. support
The reporter have interviewed me for 2 hours where I talked about many many stuff and they only took the piece of the Kuwaiti government support. Anyway it was a cool thing to show up on BBC world lol
First it takes more than 6 months to get all the paperwork and registration ready if you want to set up a proper business. Also your business needs to be something that is defined within the licenses issued by the Ministry of Trade, try to set up something innovative like a discount card and you will be sent to the central bank then to the Ministry of trade then to the ministry of finance until you get tired and give up or get a wasta to break this catch-22. Setting up a business is purposely made hard so that the old traders don’t get any competition.
If you want to bake cup cakes, thats another story, you can easily do that at home and box them and sell to your friends.
Many of my friends have successfully setup businesses (both services and retail) and have “easily” gotten funding from the governments, the 6-month statement is a myth!
It’s only a myth when you have a lot of wasta behind your back and a lot of $$ for bribes. Been there, done that, trust me 6 months is a short time.
And FYI, it’s not just the funding, it’s all the ridiculous paperwork involved. As don Veto said, it is made that way to protect certain individuals.
I think there’s a lot of ‘no businesses’ out there, a lot of wasta in play, and a lot of people getting govt grants for doing f all….but then I could be wrong.
ChoowyGoowy, Slider Station, B+F Open Flame Kitchen, The Cocoa room, Chocolate Bar, Pizzetta.
Those are my favourite food places and they are popular and all local Kuwaiti creations
I have 2 business and zero wasta. Both are working out great but I’m biologically 10 years older from dealing with الشؤون و البلدية والجمارك
1. There are barely any guidelines as to how to start a business and what kind of rules apply. You are in dark by yourself and you have to find your way.
2. All authorities have no standards, so you don’t know what kind of obstacles are waiting for you.
3. All authorities employees are envy driven creatures that will provide zero support and all they do is slow you down just because they can.
4. Start something creative and it’s automatically against the law or has no laws that apply to it and therefor it won’t see the light.
5. Market is flooded with international chains that are hosted by the best malls and facilities and both chains&malls are owned by a small circle that supports itself. All you are left to work with is the gutter. Government cannot do anything regarding this but apply taxes and subsidize local products/services, nonetheless the real driver here is the culture. Locals need to understand that supporting the locals is best for their county on the long haul. If anyone of you spent sometime in the states, you will see ppl always opting for local stores over corporate chains.
6. Retail&services has thick barriers to entry. Thus makes you think that there is light in the manufacturing sector. Think again, industrial land is as mythical as the cute dragons you saw on the season finale of Game of Thrones.
You are meant to be in the government sector because you are to proxy the cash to the ones that are meant to get it. Just like that 70,000KD you get for housing, you don’t get the cash, it’s there whenever you open up as a proxy to deliver it to the MAN.
You’re a mouse running in a wheel. Running will get you no where, only breaking the wheel will.
i run my own business with my dad
it doesn’t take that long to open up a business
6 months is just too long 4-8 weeks
and no we don’t use vitamin w
if u use it ur business will probably be ready in 4 days or so
When I said 6 months it was not for the trade license, but included license, office, checked by fire department, social affairs for employee quota, municipality, and any concerned ministry that is covered under your trade license such as Ministry of Electricity if you are an Electric contractor. Also, in case you want to do something different from the licenses like for instance motorized skateboards, then you will be asked to got to Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Interior Transportation Dept and they will not know how to handle you and send you back and then you need to get a wasta to get things moving again.
You need to do all that I mentioned before you can even make your first sale, and that is when I consider a business to be operational.
I am not counting the different bank guarantees and bank papers showing you have the needed funds to start a business according to Kuwaiti laws.
Try establishing an insurance business, you will see that the Ministry of Trade wants to see that you have a few millions in the bank before they even allow you to get a trade license.
Salwa Al Mutairi for (maverick) entrepreneur anyone?!