Муниципалитет Кувейта ужесточил проверки бизнеса и предупредил о штрафах и закрытии

Kuwait tightens commercial inspections, warns businesses of fines and closure - By Sheeraz Soomro - - Sep 01, 2026 KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait Municipality has expanded its commercial inspection campaign to cover businesses across various sectors, with authorities warning establishments to comply with licensing and municipal approval requirements or face substantial fines and closure. Eng. Khaled Buarki, Director of the Engineering Licensing Department at the Kuwait Municipality branch in Hawally Governorate, said the campaign is not restricted to a particular commercial sector. It covers all licensed activities that require municipal and technical approvals. Speaking to Al-Akhbar TV, Buarki said the department is responsible for monitoring building permits, shop licenses and technical approvals required for commercial activities. He said the inspection campaign covers a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, electrical appliance stores and other commercial establishments. The key criterion is whether the activity operates under a commercial license requiring municipal and technical approval. Municipal authorities have identified three major licensing violations during the campaign. The first involves opening or operating a business without the required license. Violators can face fines ranging from KD4,000 to KD5,000, along with a closure order. Read more: Kuwait tightens rules on medicine promotion The second violation involves adding an unlicensed area to a business or modifying its premises without municipal approval. Such violations carry fines ranging from KD1,000 to KD5,000, in addition to closure. The third concerns adding or conducting an activity that is not covered by the existing license without obtaining municipal approval. The fine for this violation ranges from KD500 to KD1,000, also accompanied by a closure order. Buarki stressed that informing business owners about licensing requirements, violations and penalties is an important part of the campaign. The Municipality is also using its official platforms to raise awareness and encourage businesses to secure the necessary approvals before opening, expanding or modifying their premises. The campaign reflects Kuwait Municipality’s broader effort to ensure that commercial establishments comply with licensing, building and technical requirements.