| Kuwait’s strong fiscal and external accounts are behind the country’s eminently favourable credit ratings, with Standard & Poor’s recently conferring a long-term rating of AA. Understandably, rating agencies derive comfort from the country’s substantial sovereign wealth fund (SWF). Kuwait boasts a substantial reserve that provides the necessary cushion for stakeholders like creditors and exporters.
The sovereign wealth fund, as managed by Kuwait Investment Authority, stood at $592 billion in June, ranked among the top in the world as estimated by the Sovereign Wealth Institute. General reserves have received a major boost over recent years after a decision to raise funding set aside as part of the mandate for the future. In 2013 — or before the drop in oil prices — a decision was made to increase the amount set aside — 25 per cent rather than 10 per cent of oil revenues...............................................Full Article: Source
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