Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the inaugural UAE-Kuwait Week will take place in Dubai from February 3 to 4, 2025. This event aims to enhance strategic economic and trade ties between the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait while identifying new collaboration opportunities across key sectors.

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Dubai Chambers are jointly organizing the event in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Consulate General and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. It will serve as a dynamic platform for businesses, policymakers, and industry leaders to exchange insights, explore investments, and strengthen bilateral trade relations. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, emphasized that this week marks a significant milestone in advancing economic cooperation between both nations.

Al Zeyoudi noted, “The UAE and Kuwait share a deep-rooted relationship, driven by our leadership’s shared vision for sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.” He elaborated that the event would be a vital platform to identify opportunities and foster partnerships across sectors crucial to both economies, including energy, logistics, food security, and advanced industries. He further highlighted the importance of the private sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in driving innovation and sustainable development.

The Minister pointed out that the non-oil trade between the UAE and Kuwait reached AED 45.4 billion (US$ 12.4 billion) during the first 11 months of 2024, marking a 7.2 percent annual growth from the previous year. He also mentioned that investments from Kuwait to the UAE reached nearly US$4 billion at the start of 2023, reflecting robust economic ties.

Abdulazis Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, stated that the UAE-Kuwait Week presents a strategic opportunity to enhance trade and investment flows. He highlighted that the event focuses on sectors such as tourism, logistics, healthcare, and real estate. Al Ghurair added, “Dubai continues to provide Kuwaiti businesses with a gateway to regional and global markets, supported by advanced infrastructure, a pro-business environment, and a vibrant economy.”

Khalifa Al-Ajeel, Minister of Commerce and Industry in Kuwait, reiterated the strong relations between Kuwait and the UAE. He expressed that the upcoming UAE-Kuwait Week aims to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation, particularly in vital sectors like tourism, healthcare, energy, and financial services.

Khaled Al Zaabi, Consul-General of the State of Kuwait to the UAE, praised the strong fraternal ties between the two nations, noting that these relationships have fostered broad cooperation across economic, cultural, and tourism sectors. The two-day event will feature a comprehensive agenda designed to promote cooperation and unlock new growth opportunities.

Conferences and panel discussions will focus on investment potential in key sectors, including energy, renewable energy, healthcare, logistics, and tourism. Business-to-business meetings will also facilitate dialogue and partnerships between government and private sector representatives.

The UAE-Kuwait Week is expected to open new avenues for cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, healthcare, and financial services. The event aims to stimulate trade in key goods, with a focus on chemicals, metals, jewelry, and food products, aligning with both nations’ development visions.

In addition, a dedicated exhibition will allow SMEs, government entities, and major corporations to showcase their projects and promote innovative solutions. This exhibition will also celebrate the cultural heritage of both nations through performances and artisan displays.

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Kuwait exceeded US$12.4 billion (AED 47 billion) in 2023, representing a 4 percent annual growth from the previous year. The event will highlight significant investment flows, with UAE investments in Kuwait totaling US$1.087 billion, while Kuwaiti investments in the UAE reached US$3.9 billion.

Tourism flows between the two nations have also seen notable growth, with over 381,000 Kuwaiti tourists visiting the UAE in 2023, compared to 250,000 in 2022. Emirati visitors to Kuwait reached over 42,236 from January to September 2024. Strong connectivity is further emphasized by more than 122 weekly flights operated by national carriers, alongside 53 flights per week from Kuwaiti carriers to the UAE.