Kuwait’s National Assembly has approved amendments to the Companies Law relating to protection for minority shareholders. The changes would reduce the minimum percentage of shareholders to request a general assembly requirement from 25% to 10%. Distribution of profits approved in a general assembly would take place within one month of the meeting. For companies with multiple directors, the general assembly would determine their powers and responsibilities. The time before a general assembly would also be increased from 15 to 21 days.

Lawyers have welcomed suggestions a Private-Public Partnership Law could be on the way in the Kingdom. If it is introduced, it will regulate the role of the private sector in terms of partnering with the public sector in infrastructure projects for the first time.

Despite not having any specific regulations in this area, the Kingdom has completed a number of projects using this framework.