Under the patronage of Acting Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Private Universities, Adel Ahmed Al-Badr, the 11th International Annual Scientific Conference of the Kuwait International Law College kicked off. Held over two days under the theme “Legal, Scientific, and Practical Perspectives on Developmental Issues in Kuwait.” The event gathered prominent legal scholars, government officials, and students.
Keynote Speech Highlights Developmental Legal Challenges
Dr. Ahmed Al-Farsi, President of the Conference, welcomed participants and emphasized the significance of this international gathering. He noted that the conference aims to address key developmental issues related to real estate development, infrastructure, energy resources, and technology localization in the oil sector. These topics highlight the need for practical legal solutions.
This year’s conference attracted substantial international participation, with over 220 researchers from 63 Arab and global universities applying. The Scientific Committee selected 56 papers from 72 researchers representing institutions within and outside Kuwait.
International Collaboration and Legal Comparisons
Professor Everett Stamis from Rotterdam Law School in the Netherlands praised the conference’s focus on real estate development, energy projects, and technology localization. Furthermore, he acknowledged its emphasis on SME development. He applauded the partnerships between Kuwait International Law College and prestigious Arab and international universities. The diverse participation is evidence of its global outreach. On behalf of the participating delegations, Stamis extended his gratitude to the organizers for their hospitality and professionalism.
Real Estate Financing and Comparative Legal Studies
The main session of the conference, titled “Real Estate Development in Kuwait in a Comparative Context: Financing Systems and Legal Solutions,” was chaired by Dr. Faiz Al-Kandari, Professor of Civil Law at Kuwait University. Al-Kandari discussed the challenges of real estate financing in Kuwait. He stressed the need for sustainable financing mechanisms that go beyond limited government budgets.
Dr. Hamad Al-Hassawi, Associate Professor of Public Finance and Economics at Kuwait International Law College, presented a study on the role of government and banking sectors in real estate mortgage law. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between state institutions and private banks to provide sustainable housing financing.
Dr. Sara Al-Sultan, Assistant Professor of Tax Law and Public Finance at Kuwait University, highlighted the increasing demand for housing. There are 12,000 vacant houses and 65,000 empty apartments available as of the end of 2024.
Dr. Kamal Hatab, Professor of Islamic Economics and Banking at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, addressed the role of Islamic banks in solving housing issues in Kuwait. He used Kuwait Finance House as a case study. He emphasized that Islamic banks primarily serve as investment platforms for depositors. This suggests that major housing initiatives remain a governmental responsibility.
The 11th International Annual Scientific Conference of the Kuwait International Law College has proven to be a vital platform for addressing developmental legal challenges in Kuwait and the broader region. It underscores the importance of international collaboration, sustainable financing, and technological adaptation in shaping Kuwait’s legal and economic future.
