Share trading in Kuwait started in 1952, when the first Kuwaiti shareholding company -the National Bank of Kuwaitwas established. The first law concerning the organisation of the issue of shares and subscription was promulgated in October 1962. In 1970, Law No 32 was issued on the regulation of stock trading in shareholding companies. In 1976, Ministerial Resolution No 61 led to the organisation of dealings in Kuwaiti shareholding company shares.

In 1977, the bourse was opened and named the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE). It was, however, in August 1983 that the KSE was reorganised as an independent financial institution, by an Amiri decree, to be managed by the Exchange Committee and by the executive administration.

After the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the Kuwait Stock Exchange was closed and resumed operations on September 28, 1992.

KSE became the first stock market in the world to use an Arabic Automated System on January 17 1996, when it implemented the automated trading system.

The new system allows faster, fairer and more efficient securities trading and has improved competitiveness in the market and increased equality between traders. The system provides brokers access to the all-pertinent information required to assist their clients in the trade of securities. The end result is a better client-broker-exchange relationship

On September 10, 2000, the Foreign Investment Law was issued by the Government to allow foreigners to invest in the Kuwait Stock Exchange for the first time.

Trading Hours

Opening for Regular Market 09:00 am
Pre-auction 09:10 am
Open & Continuous Trading 09:15 am
Closing 12:15 pm
Opening for Forward Market 12:15 pm
Closing 01:15 pm

For more information, visit www.kuwaitse.com