
KCCI hosts Belgian economic delegation
KUWAIT CITY, April 29: The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) hosted a Belgian economic delegation led by Isabelle Griba, CEO of the Brussels Economic Development Agency, on Tuesday. According to a press release issued by KCCI, the delegation included the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Kuwait Christian Doms, Secretary- General of the Joint Arab- Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Qaisar Hijazin, representatives from the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, and several Kuwaiti business owners.
KCCI extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation, and affirmed the strong and enduring ties between Kuwait and Belgium. It highlighted the longstanding friendship, mutual trust, and shared goals that define the relationship between the two nations. KCCI noted the great potential for economic cooperation between the two countries, revealing that the total trade exchange between Kuwait and Belgium amounted to approximately $253.5 million in 2023.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Doms expressed his pleasure with the meeting, and highlighted that the significant participation of Belgian companies affirms the growing interest in enhancing relations between the two nations. He also highlighted the companies' eagerness to establish joint ventures with their Kuwaiti counterparts. Ambassador Doms affirmed Kuwait's strategic importance as one of the world's leading oil-exporting countries., as well as the prominence of the Kuwaiti sovereign wealth fund, which ranks as the fifth-largest globally. He outlined several factors for future collaboration between Kuwait and Belgium, including strong political ties, the purchasing power of Kuwaiti tourists, and the potential for joint efforts in sectors such as digital economy, food security, healthcare, renewable and sustainable energy, infrastructure, and free zone projects.
In addition, Hijazin expressed his pleasure in hosting the meeting, emphasizing the presence of 40 prestigious Belgian companies. Hijazin called for greater collaboration between both nations to achieve shared goals, particularly highlighting Kuwait's importance as an important investment partner, especially in the realm of strategic oil and gas investment projects in Belgium. The Kuwait Investment Promotion Authority (KIPA) presented the New Kuwait 2035 vision, and shed light on the important projects and private sector partnerships currently underway. In turn, Belgian companies made a presentation on their services and products.
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