Kuwait Finance House (KFH) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a joint training programme to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kuwait with sustainability and financing skills aligned with Kuwait Vision 2035.

The “Growing Sustainably” training programme targets SME founders and senior executives, providing practical tools to improve operational performance, assess sustainability readiness, and strengthen access to sustainable and green financing opportunities, supporting long-term business resilience and competitiveness.

UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait, Ms. Emma Morley, said: “UNDP works in 170 countries worldwide, partnering with governments and the private sector to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In Kuwait, our work aligns closely with Vision 2035, including supporting financial institutions and businesses to shape markets that generate long-term environmental, social, and governance value.”

She added that UNDP’s partnership with KFH reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the private sector, with SMEs at its core, as a driver of inclusive growth, resilience, and economic transformation in Kuwait.

SMEs represent nearly 90 percent of businesses in Kuwait, operating across key sectors such as trade, hospitality, construction, and industry. They play a central role in job creation, innovation, and responding to evolving market needs, making sustainability a critical capability for long-term growth.

In the same context, Mr. Yousef Al-Mutawa, Group Chief Corporate Banking Officer at Kuwait Finance House, said: “SMEs represent nearly 90 percent of all businesses in Kuwait, with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 active companies operating across key sectors, including trade, hospitality, construction, and industry, beyond their scale. SMEs are a major driver of economic dynamism. They play a central role in job creation, respond swiftly to evolving market needs, and continuously innovate to remain competitive,” added Al-Mutawa.

He continued saying: “As Kuwait advances its diversification agenda under Vision 2035, the resilience, efficiency, and competitiveness of SMEs will be decisive in shaping the country’s future economic landscape, this is precisely why SMEs occupy a central position in KFH’s long-term growth strategy.”

Looking ahead, the training programme will support SMEs in integrating sustainability into their business models, improving governance and risk management, and positioning themselves to benefit from emerging sustainable finance opportunities, contributing to a more diversified and resilient Kuwaiti economy.

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About UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.  

For more information, please contact: UNDP Kuwait | Nayla Bissat | nayla.bissat@undp.org