Having to deal with one of Kuwait's many ministries can be a stressful and disheartening experience. It can be daunting and everyone's heard of a ministry horror story or two. But with Kuwait Living to help you, there's no need to worry.
We've included phone numbers, websites and the location of each ministry. Before you head off to a ministry, take a look at our Top Tips section - it contains loads of useful info and guidance. Don't even attempt to go to a ministry without reading it first!
This is the ministry that deals with religious endowment and Islamic affairs and represents Kuwait's religious bodies. It works on a local as well as an international level.
Inside Kuwait, it looks after the State's numerous mosques and hires imams, khateebs (preachers) and mu'ethin (the people who perform the call to prayer). It also helps and advises people on legal matters both personal and judicial.
Internationally, the ministry helps support Islamic centres, schools and institutes all over the world through financial and other means. It also organises the Haj pilgramage to Mecca and organises charity appeals. In addition, it prints and distributes books and pamphlets about Islam and organises lectures in coordination with other government organisations in Kuwait.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry implements the governments policy of subsidising goods such as contruction materials and gives financial support to the Kuwait Company for Rationing, the Co-ops and Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company.
It also controls and monitors commercial companies and shops according to the relevant laws and regulations in place and issues licenses to individuals and companies. One fo the most important aims of the Ministry if to increase national exports and strengthen Kuwait's commercial ties with other countries.
It's also responsible for storing staple food items in case of an emergency. Apparantly there's enough rice, sugar, powedered milk, oil and flour to last us 6 months!
The Ministry provides postal, telephone and wireless services to Kuwait. It also takes care of transport and other communication services such as issuing transport certificates, inspecting and surveying small vessels and investigating accidents that result in the sea being polluted with oil.
Although Kuwait's constitution forbids offensive war, defending Kuwait's independence and sovereignty is viewed as a sacred duty. The Ministry aims to enhance the skills and abilities of the land, air and naval forces by sending them on courses in Kuwait and abroad. Although women can't serve in the armed forces, they are employed in areas including engineering and public relations.
EDUCATION
Location:
Tel:24817702
EDUCATION (HIGHER)
Location:
Tel: 22401300
http://www.moe.edu.kw/
ENERGY - ELECTRICTY & WATER
Location:
Tel: 25371000
www.energy.gov.kw
ENERGY - OIL
Location:
Tel: 22415201
www.moo.gov.kw
FINANCE
Location:
Tel: 22480000
http://www.mof.gov.kw/
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Location:
Tel: 22425141
http://www.mofa.gov.kw/
HEALTH
Location:
Tel: 24877422
HOUSING
Location:
Tel: 25301000
http://www.housing.gov.kw/
INFORMATION
Location:
Tel: 22415301
http://www.media.gov.kw/
INTERIOR
Location:
http://www.moi.gov.kw/
JUSTICE, LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS
Location:
Tel: 22480000
http://www.moj.gov.kw/
PLANNING
Location:
Tel: 22428200
http://www.mop.gov.kw/
PUBLIC WORKS
Location:
Tel: 2585520
SOCIAL AFFAIRS & LABOUR
Location:
Tel: 22480000
This video is supposed to ba a comedy but it is all about what the Kuwait Municipality (Baladiyah) does to people who don't follow the zoning laws for building in Kuwait. So, PEOPLE! If you have homes in Kuwait, make sure that you only build what is legal, or face the consequences!
Top Tips
You've no doubt heard the old saying 'the early bird catches the worm', well, this also applies to Kuwaiti ministries! Ministries are generally open to the public from 7.30 am to 1.00 pm, but if you want to miss out on all the queues, then go there early - aim to be there before the doors are actually opened. You'll find that it's far less stressful than later if you leave it till later in the day. And the employees are more likely to be able to process your paperwork quicker. Ministry employees are generally very helpful and will do their best for you. However, it's important to be friendly and smile a lot - they're more likely to go the extra mile for you if you're nice to them! Don't let your frustration and annoyance with the system make you lose your temper - it won't achieve anything and is likely to cause more harm than good. Remember, charm really can work wonders in Kuwait's ministries - it can open doors, stamp documents and finish visa processes in record time! Don't worry if you can't speak Arabic, there'll usually be someone around who can speak English. But if in doubt, and you want extra support, then persuade an Arabic speaker to come along with you. Kuwait's ministries can be very, very slow! Don't expect things to happen overnight and remember patience is a virtue! It's always best to go to a ministry in person if you can. It's difficult to get things done over the phone. Get the contact details of the person you're dealing with and make sure you phone them regularly to check on progress. Even better, actually go into the ministry, and keep on going until they get so sick of the sight of your face they'll process your paperwork just to get rid of you! Make copies of all your papers! It's not unheard of for ministries to lose paperwork, so make sure you've got duplicates even triplicates somewhere safe so you can resubmit your paperwork to them again Before you pay a visit to a ministry, phone them up to check what you need to bring with you. You don't want to go and then find out they can't help you because you don't have the correct paperwork with you Ministries often process individual requests quicker than they do for companies. If it's taking a long time for your company to complete you paperwork at the ministry in question, then go there yourself. It'll probably speed thing up. Don't rely on emails to get things done at the ministries as e-government is still in its infancy here, and is the exception rather than the rule. However, this is slowly changing and Kuwait is committed to developing e-government. If you really are having huge problems, then ask a Kuwaiti you know and trust for some 'wasta' (influence). It's amazing what a quick phone call to the right person can do!
Advertise with us! We are offering amazing special introductory rates for a very limited period of time only! Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of Kuwait Living! Even better, become a sponsor and get even more benefits!
Click HERE for our very special advertising rates!
Become a member of Kuwait Living Online for only 1KD per year, get 3 FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERSTISEMENTS, and become eligible for all kinds of cool stuff!!! Kuwait Living Online members will get our newsletter with special discounts and annoucements and also will be eligible to play our games for prizes and more!
