The Kuwaiti government is studying several key amendments made by an expert panel in the tenders law, one of the most important legislations that governs billions of dinars in state projects every year, said a report.

Under the new amendments, which still need to be approved by the National Assembly, priority in awarding state projects will be given to the companies that are listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, reported the Kuwait Times.

The National Assembly's financial and economic affairs committee introduced these key amendments including the decision not to award new projects to companies that are having problems with exisiting projects and only consider their tenders when they complete the older ones, it stated.

MP Ahmad Al Azemi said the committee had discussed his proposal to award projects worth KD20 million ($67 million) and more to listed companies only.

The other amendments to the law obliges the Central Tenders Committee, which awards state projects, to accept the decision of the petitions committee whose decisions currently are consultative.