Welcome to Kuwait Guide Draft

Contents General Information about Kuwait .............................................................................................. 4 Geographic location ............................................................................................................................... 4 Population................................................................................................................................................ 4 Economy.................................................................................................................................................. 4 Climate ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Living in Kuwait .......................................................................................................................... 5 Traditional dress ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Dress Code for Expatriates................................................................................................................... 5 Religion .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Ramadan ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Alcohol Prohibition ................................................................................................................................. 6 Language................................................................................................................................................. 6 Settling in Kuwait ....................................................................................................................... 6 General information ............................................................................................................................... 6 Transport ................................................................................................................................................. 6 Setting up your New Home ........................................................................................................ 6 Renting Property..................................................................................................................................... 6 Rental Cost.............................................................................................................................................. 6 Popular Expat Areas.............................................................................................................................. 7 Utilities...................................................................................................................................................... 7 Getting a car............................................................................................................................................ 7 Schools .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Ministry of Education Requirements.................................................................................................... 7 Pets .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Communications ........................................................................................................................ 8 Telecom Service Provider & Internet .................................................................................................. 8 Television ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Radio ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Newspapers ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Daily Life in Kuwait..................................................................................................................... 8 Recommended Supermarkets ............................................................................................................. 8 Shopping Centres................................................................................................................................... 8

Money/Currency ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Health Services....................................................................................................................................... 9 Entertainment & Leisure Activities.............................................................................................. 9 Entertainment.......................................................................................................................................... 9 Beach Clubs.......................................................................................................................................... 10 Restaurants........................................................................................................................................... 10 Other Information ......................................................................................................................10 Embassy Information ........................................................................................................................... 10 List of embassies.................................................................................................................................. 10 Public Holidays ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Meeting new people............................................................................................................................. 11 Tips from newcomers for newcomers: .............................................................................................. 11

General Information about Kuwait Geographic location Kuwait is a country in the Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq (to the West and North) and Saudi Arabia (to the South). Kuwait is situated at the head of the Arabian Gulf and covers an area of 17,820 square kilometers, in comparative terms, it is slightly smaller than the island nation of Fiji. The land is mainly flat with occasional low hills and shallow depressions and despite having a coastline that stretches for 325 kilometers; Kuwait has no inland rivers or lakes. Kuwait's area consists mostly of desert. Population Today’s population of Kuwait comprises over 100 nationalities. The total population as of 2018 is estimated at 4.6 million and of these about 1.4 million are Kuwaitis, 1.2 million are other Arabs, 1.8 million Asian expatriates, and 47,227 Africans. Indians and Egyptians are the largest expat communities. Other foreign nationals in Kuwait include Syrians, Iranians, Palestinians, Turks, and smaller numbers of Americans and Europeans. 85% of the country’s population is Muslim and 15% consists of those practicing other faiths (Christian, Hindu etc.) Economy Kuwait is one of the world’s main oil producing states with its economy heavily dependent on oil revenues. The Kuwaiti dinar is the highest-valued unit of currency in the world. According to the World Bank, Kuwait is the seventh richest country in the world per capita. Among the Gulf States, Kuwait’s oil reserves are second only to those of Saudi Arabia. Kuwait produces about 1.8 million barrels of oil per day and its reserves are estimated at 9.6% of the world’s total. At current levels of production, Kuwait has enough oil to last for more than 100 years.

The country has little in the way of a non-oil related economy and much of the country’s non-oil industry remains state controlled. Climate Kuwait experiences a characteristic desert climate: extremes of temperature, little rainfall and lots of sunshine. During the hottest season, July and August, the temperature rises to as much as 40- 50°C but the humidity is very low which means that the weather is not unbearable. The all-time high, recorded on July 31, 2012, was 53.8°C (128.8°F), measured at Sulaibya. June to August often witness dust storms, which sweep in on the northwesterly winds from Iraq. The winter months (December to February) get fairly cold, with average daytime temperatures around 13-18°C. In November, March and April the climate is mild and pleasant. Living in Kuwait Within the Gulf you will have to be aware of some cultural differences and you have to realize that etiquette is extremely important in Arab culture. Arab nationals are very polite, hospitable and generous people and when living in Kuwait it is important to take note of the customs in order to gain a greater understanding of their culture and to avoid offending their sensitivities. Traditional dress The majority of national men in the Gulf States wear traditional dress. This consists of a floor- length shirt-dress, which is called a Dishdasha. It is usually white though blue, brown and black ones are common during the winter. Men also wear a loose headscarf called Gutra. This is usually white, though it may also be red and white check. The black head rope used to secure the Gutra is called an Ogal. Traditional female dress is an all covering black cloak called an Abaya worn over clothing accompanied by a form of head covering called a hijab. Dress Code for Expatriates Women & Men should dress modestly. People will treat you with respect when you portray and show respect to them and their culture. Religion Islam is the official religion of Kuwait. Islam is based on the Quran, Islamic Holy Book. Prayers take place five times a day, at dawn, midday, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. Exact times are published daily in the local newspapers. Muslims are forbidden to eat or drink anything containing pork, alcohol or the meat of any animal which died from natural causes. Alcohol & Pork are forbidden in the State of Kuwait. Ramadan During the full lunar month of Ramadan all Muslims have to abstain from food, drink, tobacco and other pleasurable activities between the hours of sunrise and sunset. All restaurants and cafes are closed during that time. Shopping hours are shorter and working hours are reduced. The roads get very busy after sunset as many Arab nationals go out to break their fast and eat and shop with their families. When living in Arab countries during Ramadan, out of respect for their custom, you should not eat, drink or smoke in public places or in the presence of a Muslim during daytime. The month of Ramadan varies from year to year. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a feast, Eid-al-Fitr.

Alcohol Prohibition In Kuwait the sale or consumption of alcohol is forbidden, although it is allowed in officially recognized diplomatic venues. The British & American Embassy organizes some events throughout the year, such as concerts, parties, Christmas events, etc. Language Arabic is the official language of Kuwait. English is widely spoken and commonly used foreign language for business and commerce. Arabic, however is most useful when dealing with officialdom i.e. ministries and public authorities. When dealing with some of the officials it is very useful to have a native speaker in order to translate and help speed the process. Making the effort to learn some Arabic words and phrases is considered polite and greatly appreciated by Arab nationals. Settling in Kuwait General information  You are required to carry your Civil ID at all times  Women have the right to drive and most do.  Driving is on the right hand side of the road.  Roads are in a reasonably good condition and are well maintained.  Signposts are both in Arabic and English.  Petrol is considerably cheaper than in Europe. The following documents should be kept with you at all times when driving: Civil ID, Car Registration Card, and Kuwait Driving License. Transport The public transport in Kuwait is limited to public buses and taxis. The expatriate community tends to have their own cars or use hail taxis. The country also has on-demand cab service which provide service through the use of their phone application. (We would recommend downloading “Careem” transportation app, operating the same as uber, Careem will allow you to book reliable taxi services anytime of the day. The service allows you to pay either by cash or purchase credit via their app.) Setting up your New Home Renting Property Flats and houses can be rented for a week, month and year and the longer the rental period, the better the deal. Most apartments and villas are let unfurnished, although partly furnished or fully furnished accommodation can be found. Villas and apartments can be found through real estate agents, adverts in the local newspapers, Al Waseet (free local newspaper), by word of mouth or by visiting suitable areas. Some of the new executive apartments provide additional amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis court, gym, sauna, maintenance, cleaning etc. Rental Cost Cost of property varies widely depending on location, standards and whether you want a sea view or not.

1. One bedroom apartments start from 250 KWD – 350 KWD 2. Two bedroom apartments start from 350 KWD – 550 KWD 3. Three bedroom apartments start from 600 KWD *Please note that the prices given are an approximate guide only. Popular Expat Areas  Salmiya  Hawalli  Salwa  Sabah al Salem  Bayan  Kuwait City All these areas vary slightly in terms of look/ feel and it is important to see which area you prefer. Please note that most of them have health clinics, schools, police stations and shopping centers. The majority of these areas are located within 30 minutes’ drive from the hotel. Utilities Electricity, gas and water are relatively cheap and this is why some apartments include it in the rental price. Plug fittings are normally of the 3 flat pin type but older properties may still have 3 round pin or 2 pin continental type fittings. Some buildings will usually provide satellite TV, and WIFI, the cost of which will be included in the monthly rental. Getting a car The range of vehicles available in Kuwait is impressive. Many of the cars are made to Gulf specifications with parts able to deal with the rigorous desert climate. Whilst living in Kuwait you have the option to buy a new/ second-hand car or to rent/ lease it. Schools There are many private schools in Kuwait. Please see the section below which outlines some of the schools in Kuwait.  Kuwait English School, KES (www.kes.edu.kw)  The English School, TES (www.tes.edu.kw)  The British School of Kuwait, BSK (www.bsk.edu.kw)  New English School, NES (www.nes.edu.kw)  Gulf English School, GES (www.ges.edu.kw) Ministry of Education Requirements The Private School Sector of the Ministry of Education requires each school to keep an up-to- date file on every pupil. Check with your chosen school what documents/ information you will have to provide for the record. Pets Cats and dogs are allowed into Kuwait, but they must have a certificate of good health issued by a vet in home country and a certificate of a valid rabies vaccination. There is no quarantine in Kuwait, however your pet may be placed in quarantine upon exiting the country.

Communications Telecom Service Provider & Internet There are 3 major mobile phone service providers in Kuwait: 1. STC 2. Ooredoo 3. Zain Each service provider provides similar services at competitive pricing Most new apartments already have internet connections. Internet in Kuwait is relatively cheap with good connectivity. SIM cards are available at the airport and through local retailers Television There are only a handful of English language television channels, therefore most expats tend to install or have access to satellite TV through the provider OSN. This will give you access to a large variety of channels covering sports, news, movies and more. Netflix and other popular streaming services are available. Radio There are two English language stations: Super Station on 99.7 MHz and Voice of America FM on 96.9 MHz. Newspapers There are two English written newspapers in Kuwait - the Arab Times and the Kuwait Times. They are printed daily, except Fridays and public holidays. Daily Life in Kuwait Recommended Supermarkets  The Sultan Center  Lulu Hypermarkets  Carrefour  City Centre  Co-operative Societies Shopping Centres Most of the Shopping Centre’s and Malls are open daily, from 10 am to 10 pm. Shopping is a big part of Kuwait’s; lifestyle and as such, you will be spoilt for choice with all the various shopping offerings. Best Shopping areas: Salmiya, the area includes restaurants, cafes, cinemas and Kuwait’s biggest concentration of up- market shopping malls.

Kuwait City, the area includes shopping centres like Salhiya Complex and Al-Muthanna Complex, famous for designer, haute-couture brands. Hawalli, the area includes shopping centres like Hawalli Plaza, Al Mohallab Centre and the Al- Othman Complex. The area is best known for its Computer Souk Sharq, the area includes Sharq Souk. The area includes a fresh fish market, several cafes, restaurants and cinemas as well as sea promenade, a yacht club and a health spa. The following Shopping Centres/ Malls are popular: 1. 360 Mall 360 Mall website 2. Boulevard Mall Boulevard Mall website 3. The Avenues Avenues Mall website 4. Al Kout Mall Al Kout Mall website Money/Currency International and local credit cards are accepted in major hotels, shopping centres and supermarkets. Cheques are rarely used. The local currency is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) and this is subdivided into 1000 fils. The following denominations are in use:  Notes: ¼, ½, 1, 5, 10 and 20 KWD  Coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 fils We will assist you with opening your Bank Account once on board. Health Services A wide range of health services is available in Kuwait from both public and private health care providers. (Insert List of Hospitals and Clinics as per Medical Insurance etc.) Entertainment & Leisure Activities Entertainment Apart from the obvious places to visit when arriving in Kuwait (such as Kuwait Towers, Grand Mosque, Seif Palace, Souk Mubarakiya, Mirror House, Waterfront, etc.) There are a wide variety of activities available:  Boating  Horse Riding  Weekend Camping  4 Wheel Drive trips  Amusement Parks

 Parties/ Balls in Hotels and certain Embassies  House Gatherings / Parties - very popular among the expat community Beach Clubs Kuwait has relatively few public beaches. A lot of expats tend to join beach clubs. Please note that the vast majority of them are westernised, and you feel like you could be anywhere in the world. Membership fees vary from club to club. The two most popular are The Palms and The Corniche. The following activities are available in Kuwait:  Golf  Motorsports  Horse Riding  Football  Tennis  Watersports  Rugby  Squash  Diving  Ten Pin Bowling  Swimming Restaurants There are many restaurants from fast food through to fine dining and of varying cuisines. Overall eating out is substantially cheaper in Kuwait compared to Europe. Most restaurants offer a free home delivery service and the website Talabat /Carriage/Deliveroo offers an online ordering service for all takeaways. Cafes, mostly located in hotels and shopping malls, offer Western-style cuisine. Other Information Embassy Information We recommend that once you arrive, you should register your details with your countries embassy. This will not only ensure your details are registered in case of an emergency, it may also allow you the opportunity to receive details on embassy events and gatherings. List of embassies The below link will provide foreign embassies located in Kuwait: List of Embassies in Kuwait Public Holidays Secular: 1. New Year Day 2. National Day 3. Liberation Day Islamic: 1. Mawlid Un Nabi (Birth of Prophet Mohammed) 2. Lailat Al-Isra’wa Al-Mir’aaj (Night of Accension) 3. Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) 4. Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) 5. Rass Al-Sana Al-Hijria (Islamic New Year)

Meeting new people One thing that is crucial is the interaction with as many people as possible. You learn about things that you wouldn’t necessarily find out on your own. Many of the people around have been through exactly what you will experience, and you get a great sense of community spirit in sharing episodes and encounters. Many of the facilities and services are available here as in the back home, it’s just a matter of knowing where to look and how to approach. Just remember that it takes a little more time. A bit of patience goes a long, long way here! An adventure is how you would sum it all up. You have to be enthusiastic, inquisitive, open- minded and positive. There is so much to learn and understand, and you should look forward to the experiences that are to follow, with positive anticipation. Tips from newcomers for newcomers: Try to make friends as soon as you arrive, join different social/ sport clubs. Making the effort really pays off! You will find that most expatriates are very friendly and they will take you out and make you feel welcome. Do not compare Kuwait with any other country. Each country is different and the sooner you recognize the differences the quicker you will settle. Try to understand and respect the culture and the customs If you have a problem, ask. People are always here to help you.