Kuwait city: Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the eighth ruler of Kuwait, passed away at the age of 57 after a two-year reign, during which he waived property taxes and saw a flourishing of foreign trade. His passing marked a significant moment in Kuwait's history, leading to the ascension of Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah as the ninth ruler in 1917. Sheikh Salem's rule was notable for the construction of the third protective wall and the establishment of the first telegraph line, as well as a reduction in custom tariffs by four percent.
According to Kuwait News Agency, another significant historical event occurred in 1961 with the passing of educator Hashem Al-Ginaee at the age of 63. Al-Ginaee was instrumental in the educational development of Kuwait, having established Al-Ahliya, the first private school for teaching English in the country in 1923. This laid the groundwork for further educational advancements in the nation.
In 1973, the Central Statistical Bureau conducted a population census, revealing that Kuwait's population had reached 851,000. This demographic data was crucial for planning and development in the subsequent years. In 2001, the Kuwait telecommunication Nose, Ear, and Throat hospital was established, with a construction cost of KD five million (USD 16.5 million), marking a significant advancement in healthcare infrastructure.
The Kuwait Finance House inaugurated a 206-bed center for treating drug addiction in 2005, a project that cost KD four million (USD 13.2 million). This facility was a critical addition to Kuwait's healthcare services, addressing the pressing issue of addiction treatment. In 2006, Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah expressed gratitude for the solidarity of the Al-Sabah Family during the transfer of power, highlighting the unity and responsibility demonstrated during this political transition.
In 2008, the oil sector complex was opened, housing Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and the Ministry of Oil, with a construction cost of KD 50 million (USD 165.4 million). This development signified a major investment in Kuwait's oil industry infrastructure. That same year, the Qadsiya SC soccer team won the Kuwait Football Association Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Kuwait SC.
In 2014, the International Islamic Charity Organization received a USD 5.067 million donation from the Amir of Kuwait to build and equip a village for Syrian refugees at the Al-Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. Additionally, the Kuwait National Assembly approved significant legislative amendments, including changes to the judiciary law and regulations on private nurseries.
In 2018, the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center was inaugurated, spanning a 127,000-square-meter plot of land, further enriching Kuwait's cultural landscape. The following year, the National Assembly approved amendments to the housing care law, allowing widows of Kuwaiti martyrs to acquire ownership certificates solely in their names and enabling the private sector to build houses on state-owned land.
In 2019, the Petrochemical Industries Company announced a joint project to establish a polypropylene plant in Alberta, Canada, with a Canadian company, at a cost of USD 3.2 million. The Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Tennis Complex was also inaugurated in 2020, featuring a 300-room hotel, enhancing Kuwait's sports and hospitality sectors.
Most recently, in 2024, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research obtained a new patent in Nano-fluid technology from the US Patent and Trademark Office, marking a significant achievement in scientific research and innovation.