Kuwait Stock Market

Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991, and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive.
Capital City: Kuwait City (+3 GMT)
Chief of State: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister NASIR MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah
Currency: Kuwaiti dinar
Major Languages: Arabic, English
Calling Code: 965
Voltage: 220V
Stock Exchanges: Kuwait Stock Exchange
Primary Religions: Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim
Main Airports
Kuwait (KWI)
U.S. Embassy
Al Masjed Al Aqsa Street. Plot 14, Block 14, Bayan Plan 36302http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/
Statistics
GDP: purchasing power parity:
$44.77 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.8% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity:
19,200 (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
1.67 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force (2005 est.)
Exports:
$44.43 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - partners:
Japan 19.7%, South Korea 15.5%, US 11.9%, Singapore 9.5%, Taiwan 11.1%, Netherlands 4.7% (2005)
Imports:
$12.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - partners:
US 14%, Germany 10.7%, Japan 8.3%, UK 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, France 4.8%, China 4.4% (2005)
Population:
2,418,393
Population growth rate:
3.52% (2006 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line:
NA%
Major Industries:
petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials
Employing Workers: 20*
Registering Property: 69*
Enforcing Contracts: 79*
Closing a Business: 63*
*2006 World Bank rank out of 175 countries