Corporate Governance Of Listed Companies In Kuwait A Comparative Study With United Kingdom Saudi And Qatar Codes Link
To assess Kuwait’s corporate governance framework for listed companies against the UK (as a mature common‑law model) and two regional peers (Saudi Arabia & Qatar), identifying gaps, strengths, and actionable improvements.
High transparency. Quarterly reports required. Insufficient disclosure leads to FRC investigations and public reprimands.
The UK model relies on principles rather than prescriptive rules. It emphasizes shareholder stewardship, stakeholder engagement (Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006), and a rigid separation of CEO and Chairman. The UK sanctions governance through the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) using the "Comply or Explain" mechanism—allowing deviation if justified. The UK code assumes shareholders are passive institutions
Institutional investors in Kuwait (NBK, KFH) are passive. By adopting the UK’s 2019 Stewardship Code, Kuwait could force asset managers to engage with family firms, reducing the "principal-principal" conflict.
Corporate governance (CG) has emerged as a pivotal element in the strategic management of listed companies, serving as a barometer for investor confidence and market efficiency. This study examines the regulatory framework of corporate governance in Kuwait, specifically focusing on the requirements for listed companies under the oversight of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). By conducting a comparative analysis with the corporate governance codes of the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the State of Qatar, this write-up highlights the convergence toward international best practices and the divergence driven by regional socio-legal contexts. First, identify the primary governing documents for each
The UK code assumes shareholders are passive institutions requiring protection from managers. In Kuwait, the threat is opposite: controlling families expropriate minority shareholders. Consequently, the Kuwaiti code is extremely prescriptive regarding related-party transactions (RPTs). Kuwait requires board approval for any RPT exceeding 10% of capital, whereas the UK leaves this to independent directors’ judgment. Saudi and Qatar have similar strict disclosure rules, but Kuwait’s enforcement historically lagged until Boursa Kuwait’s recent MSCI Emerging Market upgrade forced higher standards.
First, identify the primary governing documents for each jurisdiction. strong state influence
| Jurisdiction | Primary Code / Authority | Key Features / Philosophy | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Kuwait | Code of Corporate Governance for Listed Companies (issued by CMA Kuwait, most recent version 2023-2024) | Heavily Sharia-compliant (Article 1-4), strong state influence, family-owned conglomerates. Focus on board composition, related-party transactions. | | United Kingdom | UK Corporate Governance Code (FRC, 2024 edition) | "Comply or Explain" model. Emphasis on board effectiveness, audit/risk management, shareholder rights, and corporate culture. | | Saudi Arabia | Corporate Governance Regulations (CMA Saudi Arabia, 2017, amended) | Sharia-based (Islamic law), aligns with Vision 2030. Focus on BOD independence, remuneration disclosure, and audit committees. | | Qatar | Corporate Governance Code for Companies Listed on the Main Market (Qatar Financial Markets Authority, 2016, updated) | Hybrid model: civil law + Sharia. Emphasis on disclosure, board responsibilities, and protection of minority shareholders. |
Link: All codes are available in English on the respective regulatory websites (CMA Kuwait, FRC UK, CMA Saudi, QFMA Qatar).
