Talabat Joins Kuwait’s Push for Smarter Transport at National Forum

Talabat is stepping into the spotlight in Kuwait after being named the main partner of the National Forum for Transport and Smart Services, a one-day gathering set for 3 February at the Four Seasons Hotel. The event, organised by ALGAS Events alongside the Ministry of Interior and the General Traffic Department, is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Fahad Al‑Yousef Al‑Sabah, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Quite a mouthful, but it underlines how seriously the topic is being taken.

The forum is expected to pull together a broad mix of voices, from government officials and regulators to online ordering platforms, logistics firms, tech innovators, academics and entrepreneurs. That blend matters. Anyone who’s spent time around startups in the region knows progress rarely comes from one side alone. I’ve seen founders at Arageek community events light up when policy people and operators finally sit at the same table – it can be a bit of a faff to coordinate, but when it clicks, it’s spot on.

Talabat says its involvement reflects a longer-term push to work more closely with government bodies and other stakeholders, particularly around smart technologies, road safety and creating better working conditions for delivery riders. On the flip side, critics often question how platform companies balance growth with responsibility. I reckon forums like this are where that tension can be aired properly, rather than brushed under the carpet.

Abdullah Al‑Mansour, Director of Corporate Affairs at talabat Kuwait, described the partnership as part of a broader belief that smart services are central to Kuwait’s non‑oil economy. According to him, the company wants to move beyond what he called a “traditional operating model” towards a more sustainable partnership approach, using its technology and institutional experience to support safer, more efficient transport while improving quality of life and road safety for everyone.

The agenda digs into some weighty areas, including regulation, legislation and shared responsibility, how traffic violations are handled through modern penalty systems, and the role of corporate governance. There’s also a clear link to Kuwait Vision 2035, alongside a look at global best practices and case studies that can actually be implemented locally – not just nice ideas on a slide deck.

Al‑Mansour is due to deliver a keynote titled “From Governance to Sustainability”, while Amal Bukhamseen, Corporate Affairs Manager at talabat Kuwait, will join a panel discussion on regulation and collective responsibility. Other speakers include senior figures from the General Traffic Department, road safety specialists from Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre, and technology consultants with international experience. And believe it or not, these details do matter; the presence of traffic education and coordination officials hints at a serious focus on behaviour change, not just apps and algorithms.

Away from the forum itself, talabat continues to point to its involvement in national initiatives such as Kuwait’s Road Safety Week, as well as seasonal campaigns aimed at supporting riders, from air‑conditioned rest stations in summer to medical check‑ups and first‑aid workshops. I’m not a fan of flashy CSR that goes nowhere, but practical steps like these can make a real difference on long, hot shifts – if they’re applied consistantly, well… you know?

All in all, the partnership signals how platform companies in the MENA are trying to redefine their role, not only as service providers but as part of a wider transport and smart services ecosystem. For startups watching from the sidelines, especially those following along on Arageek, it’s another reminder that collaboration with regulators isn’t optional anymore – it’s part of the game, whether we like it or not.

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