Kuwait Records 930 Violations by Jewelers and Real Estate Brokers in 2025

Kuwait recorded 930 violations in 2025, 544 of them by jewelry companies and 386 by real estate brokers. Most of the violations by both sectors attracted warnings, though some fines and compliance orders were handed out. The violations come as Kuwait targets precious metals and property to clamp down on money laundering and terrorism financing.

The country’s action plan includes greater scrutiny of real estate agents and precious metal and gemstone dealers as well as tightening up reporting on beneficial ownership information. The Financial Action Task Force placed Kuwait on its grey list in February 2026. Lebanon, Monaco and Yemen were placed on the FATF grey list in February 2026 as well.

That status has made it harder for Kuwait to attract investment at a time when the country is keen to diversify its economy. Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has been holding monthly meetings to review efforts to address FATF issues. Semafor reported that the issue has focused minds in Kuwait after the grey-listing.

The violations data and enforcement actions reflect the government’s push to meet the international watchdog’s requirements through stricter oversight of high-risk sectors. The enforcement mix of warnings, fines and compliance orders signals an incremental approach that has now sharpened under the FATF pressure.

Kuwait’s response has centered on its action plan, which directly addresses the sectors where violations were most common. Monthly meetings chaired by the prime minister have kept the reform effort under continuous high-level review.