The National Fund for SME Development (SME Fund)

In April 2013, the Government has enacted law number 98 of 2013 to establish a National Fund for SME Development (the “SME Fund”). The law is intended to help the country make a major stride in the efforts to support the youth, combat unemployment, and enable the private sector to drive economic growth. As an independent public corporation, with a total capital of KD 2 billion, the SME Fund will finance up to 80 percent of capital for feasible small and medium projects submitted by Kuwaiti nationals. The law defines eligible SMEs as enterprises that employ 1 to 50 Kuwaiti workers, with financing requirements that do not exceed KD 500 thousands.