UAE-Kuwait week to boost bilateral relations amid $86.3 billion trade growth

Dubai will host the UAE-Kuwait Week at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel from February 3rd to 4th. This event aims to strengthen the strategic relationship between the UAE and Kuwait, promote cooperation across various sectors, and foster comprehensive development and mutual benefits.

The UAE-Kuwait Week, jointly organized by the two nations, is a significant event designed to enhance their economic and cultural ties. It highlights the deep-rooted historical relations between the two countries and provides a vital platform for exploring investment opportunities and expanding trade in key sectors. The event will facilitate the exchange of insights on economic development, paving the way for new avenues of cooperation and further strengthening bilateral relations.

An exhibition will also be held during the event, showcasing over 25 entities, including prominent companies and SMEs, along with cultural displays featuring traditional arts and crafts. In November 2024, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a state visit to Kuwait, marking a further strengthening of the brotherly historical relationship between the two nations.

This visit fostered new constructive cooperation between the two countries in various fields, thus strengthening their strategic partnership. The UAE and Kuwait maintain close ties at all levels, as evidenced by ongoing dialogues and high-level meetings. Continuous discussions at the ministerial and intergovernmental levels reflect the shared interest of both nations in further developing their bilateral relations.

In March 2024, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, visited the UAE, underscoring the strength of the bilateral relationship. This visit culminated in a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to further enhancing cooperation for mutual benefit. Additionally, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Minister of Defense, paid an official visit to Kuwait on October 8. This followed a nearly month-long visit to the UAE by Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.

The two countries share a long-standing fraternal bond, along with social and economic ties developed over many years. Following the formation of the UAE Federation in 1971, Kuwait was among the first nations to establish formal diplomatic relations with the UAE, with the two countries exchanging embassies in 1972.

The UAE-Kuwait Joint Higher Committee embodies the commitment of both nations to strengthen their bilateral relations. The committee’s fifth meeting, co-chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Yahya, saw the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding and executive programs covering sectors including infrastructure, communications, and education.

Relations between the two countries have significantly developed in recent decades, encompassing numerous areas of cooperation, including political, economic, trade, military, security, cultural, and educational collaboration. This has led to the signing of a series of agreements and joint Memorandums of Understanding. Furthermore, both countries are committed to maintaining high-level coordination on bilateral, Arab, and international issues to serve their mutual interests. They share a common vision for peace and stability in the region and advocate for the resolution of regional disputes through diplomatic dialogue, adhering to international law.

Additionally, the UAE and Kuwait, in cooperation with the international community, play a significant role in supporting peaceful resolutions to current regional conflicts. They continue to expand economic cooperation and partnerships, exploring opportunities under the "We are the UAE 2031" vision and the "Kuwait Vision 2035."

In 2023, non-oil trade between the two countries reached $12.198 billion, a 2% increase compared to 2022 and a 16% increase compared to 2021. The UAE is the largest destination for Kuwait's non-oil exports, accounting for 22% of Kuwait’s total exports. From 2019 to 2023, UAE investments in Kuwait amounted to $1.087 billion, while Kuwaiti investments in the UAE totaled $194.7 million during the same period.

The UAE and Kuwait have established a robust economic partnership, reflected in the growing trade volumes between the two countries over the past decade. From 2013 to 2022, the total trade between the two countries reached 317 billion dirhams ($86.3 billion). This included imports of 63 billion dirhams, non-oil exports of 85.5 billion dirhams, and re-exports of 168.5 billion dirhams.

In the tourism sector, the number of Kuwaiti tourists staying in UAE hotels in 2023 exceeded 381,000, compared to 250,000 in 2022. Meanwhile, the number of Emirati tourists in Kuwait was 42,236 between January and September 2024, with national airlines operating 122 weekly flights to Kuwait.

Cooperation in cultural and educational fields reflects the close ties and commonalities between the two countries and their people. The UAE and Kuwait have signed several bilateral agreements aimed at exchanging expertise and enhancing cooperation to achieve mutual benefits. Kuwait also played an active role in COP28, held at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The country presented initiatives to develop low-carbon projects to support global environmental sustainability and showcased various renewable energy projects. Kuwait’s representation at COP28 was crucial for promoting environmental initiatives aligned with the conference's goals. Furthermore, Kuwait joined the "Climate Change Alliance," launched by the UAE, reflecting its commitment to global sustainable development efforts.