UAE joins Kuwait in celebrating 64th National Day as bilateral trade reaches $13.6 billion

The United Arab Emirates will celebrate Kuwait's 64th National Day tomorrow, Tuesday, reflecting the deep-rooted fraternal ties and strategic relationship between the leaders and people of the two nations.

Every year on February 25th, the UAE commemorates this important occasion with special events and displays, including illuminating prominent landmarks with the Kuwaiti flag, showcasing congratulatory banners in shopping centers across the country, and organizing cultural and heritage celebrations.

The UAE's relationship with Kuwait is a model of strength and integration, continuously maturing across various fields, including politics, diplomacy, economics, and culture. This strategic partnership continues to flourish under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait.

The two countries share a long history of close ties, with Kuwait being among the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with the UAE after its founding in 1971. The UAE opened its embassy in Kuwait in 1972, and Kuwait reciprocated by opening its embassy in Abu Dhabi in the same year.

In recent years, both countries have taken significant steps to strengthen bilateral relations, including the signing of an agreement in 2006 to establish a "Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation" in Kuwait. This committee has convened numerous meetings, leading to the signing of various agreements across multiple sectors.

Economically, the bilateral relationship continues to thrive. In 2024, non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Kuwait reached AED 50 billion ($13.6 billion), marking a 9% increase compared to 2023. Simultaneously, mutual investments between the two countries approached AED 20 billion ($5.4 billion) by the end of 2022. The UAE stands as the largest importer of Kuwait's non-oil exports, accounting for 22% of Kuwait's total exports, and ranks as the third major import market for Kuwait after China and the United States.

Cultural cooperation is another cornerstone of the UAE-Kuwait relationship. The two countries have signed several agreements in these fields to exchange knowledge and further enhance cooperation, achieving mutual benefits and shared growth. The number of Kuwaiti students enrolled at UAE universities has exceeded 1,725, with Kuwaiti decisions encouraging more students to study in the UAE, further strengthening educational collaboration.

Over the past 64 years, Kuwait has made significant progress in its development, directly benefiting its citizens and residents by providing the latest services in health, education, communications, and other developmental areas. By diversifying its economic and national income sources, Kuwait has built a sustainable economy and strengthened its global competitiveness, as evidenced by its high rankings in international reports.