Working In Kuwait

A Profile On What To Expect When Working In Kuwait

The following information may be of help in deciding whether you would be interested in a quantity surveying or construction job based in Kuwait.

Currency

The currency in Kuwait is the Kuwaiti Dinar.
The latest exchange rates and currency conversions can be obtained by clicking here.

Political/ Economic Climate

Kuwait is a small, oil-rich Gulf state, which gained its independence from British rule in 1961. Kuwait was the first state in the Gulf to have a parliament, the National Assembly, which was restored in 1992 having been dissolved six years previously after the Gulf war. Kuwait has yet to recover its position as a trading hub for the upper Gulf since the Iraqi invasion in 1991, and has had to spend large sums rebuilding its infrastructure. In the construction industry the traditional source of project activity is oil and gas, but activity is increasing in the power and water sector, and particularly in buildings and infrastructure development. The build-operate-transfer (BOT) approach is becoming a favoured model for government contracts.  Kuwait is water self-sufficient following years of heavy investment in desalination projects: it also taps groundwater resources. Today, many resources are being used to remove land mines and clean up environmental damage left over from the Iraqi retreat, subsidised by the UN to the tune of US$5.9 billion. Ten percent of oil revenues are, by law, put into a trust to prepare for the day that Kuwait's massive oil reserves dry up. Also on the political agenda are women's rights: in May 1999, the Emir decreed that women would for the first time be able to vote and run for office in the 2003 general elections, subject to approval by the parliament. It was not approved. That same year saw Kuwait hit the world's centre stage once again, when great numbers of mainly US and British troops gathered in the emirate in readiness for the invasion of Iraq. As a result, pro-Islamic groups gained ground in parliamentary elections later that same year.

Lifestyle

Thursday and Friday make up the weekend. Ramadan, which takes place at a different time each year on the Western calendar, is strictly adhered to throughout the country. This means that eating, drinking or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset is frowned upon except for in premises run by expatriates. Arabic and Indian restaurants abound with a wide choice of delicacies although alcohol is strictly banned. The Persian Gulf provides ample opportunities for swimming, windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving almost all year round.

Maxim Recruitment can not offer any type of financial, taxation or immigration/visa advice to current or intending jobseekers, however we are aware of some organisations that are specialists in offering expatriates such advice.

Search Vacancy Database

Search through our extensive database of Middle East construction job vacancies:

Search Overseas Quantity Surveying & Construction Jobs

Newsletter

Get construction industry news relating to the UK, Canada, Asia, the Middle East and other worldwide locations.

Subscribe

Testimonial

“My experience with Maxim was very good. They were very understanding and I felt that he wasn't pushing his own companies’ interests over mine, which I find many recruitment agencies tend to do.”

Senior Quanity Surveyor, Dubai

Send Us Your CV

Need help finding the ideal job? Want to save time when searching?

Let us find your next job.

Send Us Your CV

Register for Job Alerts

Maxim Insights

An Update on Infrastructure Developments in Malaysia

The economic and construction outlook is optimistic in Malaysia and here Richard looks at 3 major rail infrastructure development programs in the planning which should keep construction engineers, project managers, planning engineers and rail system engineers busy for the next 10 years.…

Read more »

The advantages of using a specialist construction recruiter

In this blog post, Daria discusses the advantages of working with a specialist recruitment agency like Maxim Recruitment and how we can support you with your next career move in the UK or overseas.…

Read more »

Opportunities in Norway for Civil Engineering Quantity Surveyors

Are you a Quantity Surveyor looking to go international? Our construction client in Norway has the perfect opportunity for you!…

Read more »

How to Avoid Damaging Your Professional Construction Career

Although some of these basics may sound clichéd and banal, it never hurts to go over the seemingly obvious, even the best of us can be prone to momentary lapses in the awareness of the obvious.…

Read more »

Industry News

Hinkley Point contractors prosecuted for fatal safety failings

Three companies leading the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station are being prosecuted for health and safety offences following a worker fatality.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 4 July, 02:49

Read more »

UK construction activity falls for six consecutive month

The monthly PMI had its best reading of the year so far in June but it remains in negative territory.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 4 July, 09:28

Read more »

CIRIA updates thrust restraints guidance

CIRIA, formerly the Construction Industry Research & Information Association has published new guidance relating to pipelines.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 4 July, 07:35

Read more »

East Riding stays local for professional support

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has appointed three local consultancies for a £22m framework.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 4 July, 07:13

Read more »

Gleeson Homes bins chief exec in reorganisation

MJ Gleeson has reorganised its house-building operations, resulting in the redundancy of the Gleeson Homes chief executive.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 4 July, 06:48

Read more »