The American Chamber of Commerce in Kuwait (AmCham Kuwait), in collaboration with DHL Express as co-organizer and strategic partners, Boeing and the National Fund for SME Development, successfully launched the inaugural event of the Kuwait 4SMEs series. Titled “Scaling Locally, Expanding Globally,” the event provided a dynamic forum for SMEs and startups to access actionable strategies, expert guidance, and critical insights aimed at fueling local growth and global expansion.
The event united a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, startup founders, SME leaders, ecosystem enablers, and C-level executives. As Kuwait’s entrepreneurial landscape evolves, the Kuwait 4SMEs initiative is committed to delivering practical solutions to support SMEs and founders, address market challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Aisha Alqabandi, the Business Development and Partnerships Associate at AmCham Kuwait, set the tone by emphasizing the vital role of practical support for SMEs and startups in line with Kuwait’s economic diversification efforts under Vision 2035.
Expert Presentations:
- Othman Al-Jiran, Supervisor of Business Development Initiatives at the National Fund for SME Development, provided an overview of how the National Fund supports SMEs and startups through targeted funding, mentorship, and capacity-building programs, empowering them to thrive.
- Amadou Kebe, Senior Innovation Engagement Specialist at DHL Express, showcased how artificial intelligence and logistics innovation transform supply chains, enhance efficiency, and enable global scalability.
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled “Scaling Locally, Expanding Globally,” moderated by Dr. Arezou Harraf, Founder of Learn & Evolve and Vice-Chair of AmCham Kuwait. The panel featured industry experts including:
- Omar Habbadi, Commercial Director at DHL Express
- Abdulwahhab Alzaidan, Consultant at the Youth Public Authority, which is one of the leading entities, alongside Boeing, in developing the Kuwait Digital Startup Campus
- Reem Sahoury, Marketing & Sustainability Specialist
- Aram Tchaparian, CFO of CINET
Panelists shared valuable insights on essential SME growth strategies, including optimizing supply chains, leveraging third-party logistics for cost efficiency, cost-effective branding, strategic financial planning, and robust cash flow management. They also previewed forthcoming initiatives at the Kuwait Digital Startup Campus. Enriched by real-world case studies and best practices, the discussion provided attendees with a clear roadmap to sustainable business success.
Continuing throughout 2025, the Kuwait 4SMEs series will offer SMEs and startups essential resources, expert-led sessions, and strategic networking opportunities. Future sessions will explore topics such as global expansion strategies, digital transformation, financial literacy, and sustainable business practices.
