Kuwait hosts Belgian trade delegation eyeing green energy and tech
KUWAIT CITY, April 30: Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms disclosed that he is happy and proud to welcome the Belgian economic delegation, comprising more than 40 companies and institutions, currently on an official visit to Kuwait. He revealed this visit -- the largest in years -- reflects the dynamism of the Kuwaiti market and the promising opportunities it offers in various fields. He made the statement at a reception in his residence Wednesday evening in honor of the visiting delegation, with Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Sami Al-Hamad in attendance. He affirmed that this visit is an extension of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries last year. He said preparations are underway to hold political consultations in Brussels in June, following the last round held in Kuwait in June 2023. He added, 'We are arranging the visit of the Kuwaiti deputy foreign affairs minister to Brussels to meet his Belgian counterpart. We hope it will be a fruitful visit.'
On the prospects for cooperation between the two sides, he stressed that Belgium has vast experience in the fields of renewable energy and artificial intelligence. He revealed that a delegation from the Belgian company iMac -- a global leader in artificial intelligence and semiconductors -- visited Kuwait last year as part of efforts to develop strategic partnerships in these vital sectors. He pointed out that the volume of trade exchange between Kuwait and Belgium currently stands at around 800 million euros annually. 'We aspire to raise this figure to more than one billion euros annually, as there is significant untapped potential,' he stated. He said Belgium offers luxury products and a distinct shopping experience that could be popular with Kuwaiti consumers, whom he described as 'really sophisticated and demanding.' He expressed regret over the lack of direct flights between Kuwait and Brussels, considering this a challenge he intends to address.
He asserted that Belgium not only boasts of attractive shopping centers and commercial streets, but it also offers a unique tourism experiences that include nature, recreation, Formula One, and family entertainment facilities. He went on to disclose that the Belgian companies participating in the visit represent diverse sectors like energy, waste treatment, the medical sector and modern technologies. He said the delegation visited Qatar before arriving in Kuwait, where it began its activities through fruitful meetings with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). According to Dooms, four Belgian companies gave presentations highlighting their successful experience and best practices. He added that the participating companies include John Cockerill, which specializes in energy and waste treatment solutions, HUB Medical, and Meyvaert, which manufacture glass display cases for museums. He confirmed that Meyvaert has existing partnerships in Kuwait, particularly with the National Bank of Kuwait, in addition to its presence in global cities like Dubai, New York, Chicago, and Singapore. He concluded, 'We are medium-sized countries that share values of humility and openness. We seek to build partnerships based on trust and continuity, not casual meetings. Field presence is the foundation for building successful economic and human relations.'
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