DLA Piper has formally launched its joint venture with Kuwaiti firm Al-Wagayan, Al-Awadhi and Al-Saif.  The joint venture, which was foreshadowed by the firm last October, will operate under the name DLA Piper Kuwait and satisfies local law requirements restricting the operation of foreign firms without a partner local firm. 

Nigel Knowles, DLA Piper's joint CEO, described Kuwait as having "one of the best and secure environments in the Gulf."  The firm also has a presence in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, where it has recently acquired a new partner firm. 

Other foreign firms which have associated firms in Kuwait include Stephenson Harwood (Al Sarraf & Al Ruwayeh), Norman Kaplan (Al Adwani Law Firm) and Bryan Cave (Mashora Advocates).

Recent landmark deals in Kuwait include Kuwait Petroleum's US$3bn expansion of the Equate petrochemical complex, advised upon by Ashurst, Norton Rose and Baker & McKenzie.