Experiencing Kuwait

Culture

The Kuwaiti culture, just like many other Arab cultures, takes great pride in hospitality. Kuwaitis traditionally greet each other by shaking hands and kissing cheeks. Traditionally men and women do not exchange more than a few words and possibly a handshake to greet each other in order to respect the privacy of the woman. However, it is common for women and men to kiss cheeks if they are related to one another. It is also customary for people greeting each other to ask a long series of questions such as asking about one's health, that of their relatives, their jobs, etc. in order to relax the other person and give a sense of intimacy.

Hospitality in Kuwait is often portrayed through the serving of tea and coffee. It is very uncommon for a guest to enter a house, office, or even some stores without being offered tea or coffee. In Kuwaiti bedouin custom, a guest's refusal of tea, coffee, or such offerings is sometimes viewed as insulting by the host, as it is as if the guest is denying the host's efforts of being hospitable.

Food plays a large part in Kuwaiti culture. The traditional food of Kuwait known as "Machboos" consists mainly of mutton, chicken, or fish placed over or mixed in a large mass of well-cooked and prepared rice, closely resembling the Indian/Pakistani biryani. Curries and sides also complement the dish which is traditionally eaten using bare hands even though many choose to use western utensils. Food is almost always prepared and served in large amounts and it is extremely common for households to invite guests over to share meals.

Business Customs

Business executives or account executives will have no communication difficulties with their Kuwaiti counterparts. English is widely spoken and many Kuwaiti business leaders were educated overseas. In General, a personal relationship is an important basis for a successful business relationship in Kuwait. It is usually important to allow for friendly conversation before commencing with a business agenda. Business cards are almost always exchanged, and visitors are usually offered a glass of tea, coffee or fruit juice. Appointments with business managers often occur after 9:00. The scheduling of appointments is critical as many senior executives and key decision-makers maintain extensive travel schedules outside of Kuwait. This is particular to summer months, as business executives tend to depart Kuwait to escape the oppressive heat that can often hover at or above 50 Celsius. Kuwait attracts nationals from over 120 countries who live and work in the nation. Kuwaitis are hospitable, and they usually invite foreign business guests to their
diwaniyas (meeting places) in the evenings or to their private villas on weekends.

Travel Advisory

Kuwait's crime rate is moderate and violent crime is rare. Crime against the American community is low. Sexual harassment of women does occur, and suitable precautions should be taken. Visitors to Kuwait should dress conservatively, exercise prudent security measures and be sensitive to social and cultural norms in this conservative Islamic country. Use of narcotics is increasing in Kuwait, and visitors found with illegal narcotics or substances are subjected to tough criminal penalties. Vehicle accident and death rates are particularly high in Kuwait. Good road surfaces, powerful cars and lax enforcement of traffic regulations combine to make speeding commonplace and driving very hazardous. Foreigners may rent cars during their stay in Kuwait. They must have an international or an American driver’s license.

No alcohol, pork products, controlled substances or pornographic materials may be imported into or used in Kuwait. If prohibited items are discovered in a traveler's effects,he or she may be arrested and prosecuted. Latest information on travel advisories can be found on the State Department Consular Affairs Website at www.travel.state.gov or the U.S. Embassy Kuwait Website at U.S. Embassy Kuwait Consular Section: http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/service.html.

Visa Requirements

Passports and visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Kuwait. U.S. citizens can obtain visitor visas at the port of entry in Kuwait. Travelers who overstay their visas may face serious fines when leaving Kuwait. Travelers who leave Kuwait without completing Kuwaiti exit procedures may face serious fines if they return to and attempt to depart from Kuwait. This includes travelers proceeding via Kuwait to and from Iraq. For further information on entry and exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Kuwait at 2940 Tilden St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 966-0702, or the Kuwaiti Consulate in New York City, telephone (212) 973-4318. See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Kuwait and other countries. Visit the Kuwait Information Office – USA web site at http://www.kuwait-info.org/ for the most current visa information.

For entry and exit requirements pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction, read our information at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1469.html. For Customs Information, see http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html. U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/ U.S. Embassy Kuwait Consular Section: http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/service.html

Telecommunications

The telephone system and communication services in Kuwait are supplied by the Ministry of Communications (MOC) and by private entities. The telephone system is good. E-mail, faxes and the Internet are widely used in international business. There are over 200,000 Internet users and several service providers including Global Direct Television and Shownet Internet solutions, Gulf Telecom, Quality Net, Fast Telecommunications Company, and KEMS. Travelers can make direct international calls and cellular telephone service is readily available.

Transportation

U.S. business travelers to Kuwait have a variety of U.S. air carriers serving Kuwait to choose from. United Airlines now offers three weekly non-stop departures from its Star Alliance hub at Washington Dulles International arriving at Kuwait International Airport in late afternoon. The Kuwait to Washington leg departs 0035 in the morning and arrives in Washington by 0630, allowing for easy connection throughout the Star Alliance network providing for West Coast arrival by about 1200 and Chicago can be reached before 1100 local time. United and other U.S. carriers also serve Kuwait through either code share or the offering of convenient scheduling within a group alliance. Travelers on United may connect via United’s hubs in Chicago, Washington, Denver and San Francisco through Frankfurt for daily United Airlines code share/Star Alliance service to Kuwait on Lufthansa. Travelers on American Airlines can connect with American hubs in Chicago, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Dallas to either American’s One World partner British Airways at London Heathrow or through American’s domestic leg code share partner Kuwait Airways (KA) via its New York-JFK gateway. Northwest links Minneapolis and Detroit hubs with KLM’s Amsterdam Schiphol-Kuwait service. In addition U.S. travelers may opt for American Airlines code share with Turkish Airlines and fly to Kuwait via Istanbul.

The road system in Kuwait is modern, well lit and easily navigated by car. Most business executives hire an automobile with driver to manage most of their transportation needs. Most major car hire companies including Avis, Hertz and Budget are available. U.S. motorists should be cognizant and exercise caution in traffic, as traffic conditions is often problematic given excessive rates of speed and limited adherence to traffic regulations.

Luxury to medium-type hotels, including U.S. international hotels such as the Hilton, the JW Marriott, the Sheraton (Luxury Collection including the St. Regis), the Holiday Inn/Crown Plaza and the Radisson, are available in Kuwait City. European based Kempinski Hotels also operates a resort hotel on the beaches of Kuwait. Short-term visitors may also elect to stay in furnished apartments, which are generally rented for minimum stays of one week. The Kuwait Government subsidizes water and electricity; consumers are charged KD 0.800 (USD 2.70) for 1,000 Imperial gallons of water and KD 0.002 (USD 0.07) per kilowatt-hour of electricity. In more luxurious accommodations, water and utility costs are included in the rental price. To host a hospitality event at a major hotel, business executives should expect to pay USD 35-40 per guest. Hotels generally require one-week notification to host such
events.

Language

The official language of the State of Kuwait is Arabic. For international projects and procurement tenders, written communication is often in English. Private businesses are free to choose the language for contracts, however, some contracts such as employment contracts and business notices i.e. announcements of the implementation of Government of Kuwait regulations, must by law be in Arabic. Corporate and or agency registration with the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry must be in Arabic, however, English or foreign language translation may be included in the submission of registration documents. A private entity may offer translation of official Arabic text. Where documents are in multiple languages, the Arabic version is the legally binding text. English is widely spoken in the business community, and most expatriates have a sufficient command of the English language. Kuwait has both translation and interpreter services available for any U.S. or foreign corporation, if needed.

Health

U.S. business visitors to Kuwait encounter few health problems. They should arrive prepared to cope with the extreme heat and dust storms during the summer months. Although tap water is safe to drink, it is recommended to use bottled water as an added precaution. Food in Kuwait, including salads and dairy products, is generally fresh. A wide range of cuisine is available at many restaurants. The quality of medical care in Kuwait varies depending on the facility, the personnel on duty and the nature of the medical problem. Although many medications (mainly American) are available in the country, visitors are advised to bring sufficient supplies of their prescription medication (as well as a signed prescription) for their entire stay. Visitors should consider purchasing short-term medical insurance, which includes a medical evacuation option in the event of a medical emergency that would require treatment in the U.S. Should medical care be required while in Kuwait, there are two options: the government system or the private sector. For routine care in the government system, access is through the polyclinic (neighborhood clinic) located in the district in which you reside. For emergency care, you may access any government hospital casualty (emergency) room. There are seven regional hospitals and numerous suburban polyclinics run by the Ministry of Public Health. A civil ID card is required to receive care in the government system (in an emergency a passport is sufficient). The Ministry of Health now implements compulsory medical insurance on all expatriates living in the country. Visitors who request services may receive them at public hospitals as well as in private hospitals on a fee basis. Additional information can be found in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad. The brochure is available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at www.travel.state.gov.

Business Hours & Holidays

Time in Kuwait is Universal Time Coordinated/Zulu + 3 hours (Zulu is London UTC/GMT). In comparison, Eastern Standard Time is UTC/Zulu – 5 hours, Central Standard Time is UTC/Zulu –6 hours and Pacific Standard Time is UTC/Zulu –8 hours. Kuwait does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Government Offices: Summer: 07:00-14:00 Saturday-Wednesday
Winter: 07:30-14:30 Saturday-Wednesday
Ramadan: 10:00-13:00
Private Organizations: 08:30-12:30 and 16:30-20:00 (Friday closed)
(Commercial establishments)
09:00-16:00 (Friday-Saturday closed)
(financial and service companies)
09:00-14:00 and 19:00-00:00 (Ramadan hours)
Banks: 08:00-15:00 (closed Friday and Saturday)

Holidays

New Year’s Day 1 January 2007
Eid Al-Adha (conclusion of the Hajj) 30 Dec 2006-3 Jan 2007 (*)
Islamic New Year 20 January 2007
Kuwait National Day 25 February 2007
Kuwait Liberation Day 26 February 2007
The Prophet’s Birthday 31 March 2007
Ascension Day of the Prophet Mohammed 10 August 2007
Eid Al-Fitr (conclusion of Ramadan) 13-15 October 2007 (*)
Eid Al-Adha (conclusion of the Hajj) 19-23 December 2007 (*)

Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings

Advertising material and samples may be admitted duty free if they are contained in packages describing the advertising nature of the contents and identifying the sender. Materials considered to be in excess of reasonable requirements may be subject to normal customs duty. Tools of the trade and exhibition material likewise are duty free.

Goods entered temporarily into Kuwait can be done so under a Customs bond with the bond being remitted to the importer upon export of the product or goods in question. The Kuwait Free Trade Zone is located at Shuwaikh Port. The trade zone allows for full trade, service and industrial activities.