The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has completed drafting a decree-law which prevent any expats from engaging in economic activities within Kuwait without obtaining the necessary licenses from the relevant authorities.

According to Al-Anba Arabic daily, this law prohibits both Bedouns and expats from facilitating commercial cover-up practices. This includes allowing expats to use trade names, licenses, official approvals, or commercial registrations to operate illegally. The law also forbids obstructing or hindering the competent authorities from carrying out their duties, including by withholding or providing false or misleading information.

The Minister of Commerce designate certain employees as judicial police officers, with authority to inspect, oversee, and monitor violations in commercial activities that are suspected of breaching the law. Any violation of the law will result in penalties as severe as those prescribed for fraud under the Penal Code, including the closure of the business and deportation of the violator.

Final rulings against offenders will be published on the Ministry of Commerce’s website to ensure transparency and discourage violations.

This law is aimed at safeguarding the local market from illegal practices that harm the national economy.