Uzbekistan–Kuwait: A Course Towards Expanding Cooperation

See - Sada Elbalad

17-02-2025

Rana Atef
On February 17-18, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay an official visit to Kuwait.
Kuwait formally recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 30, 1991, and in July 1994, two nations established diplomatic relations, affirming a shared commitment to fostering mutually beneficial and constructive partnership grounded in equality and respect for each other's interests.
The high-level reciprocal visits to Kuwait in 2004 and Uzbekistan in 2008, respectively, laid a solid foundation for the advancement of collaboration. The Embassy of Kuwait has been operating in Uzbekistan since 2001, while Uzbekistan established its diplomatic mission in Kuwait in 2004.
Currently, the legal and contractual framework governing bilateral relations comprises 27 documents.
In recent years, there has been a marked intensification of bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including economics, trade, investment, education, and culture. Both nations are committed to strengthening their partnership, building on mutually beneficial interests and traditionally amicable relations, as well as spiritual ties rooted in shared religion, values, and traditions.
Kuwait is a significant partner for Uzbekistan within the framework of international relations. Kuwaiti expertise in areas such as economics, finance, banking, investment, innovation, education, and infrastructure development is of particular value. Collaboration with Kuwait offers ample opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and best practices, thereby reinforcing bilateral relations and jointly advancing on the path of sustainable development.
Engagement between the two states within international organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the 'Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf – Central Asia' (GCC-Central Asia) format facilitates the coordination of positions on pertinent regional and global issues. It also unlocks new prospects for the further deepening of multilateral cooperation.
High-level collaboration between Uzbekistan and Kuwait encompasses a broad spectrum of bilateral relations. Particular importance is attached to interaction between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, which contributes to strengthening diplomatic dialogue and paves the way for the expansion and diversification of collaboration.
In 2024, there have been five meetings and negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan and Kuwait, including those held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Furthermore, a delegation headed by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya participated in the 2nd Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Strategic Dialogue between Central Asian countries and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, which took place on April 15, 2024, in Tashkent. During the visit, the Kuwaiti Minister was received by the President of Uzbekistan.
In turn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan visited Kuwait in August 2024, where fruitful discussions were also held.
Regular political consultations conducted by the foreign ministries serve as an important mechanism for inter-ministerial cooperation.
Trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kuwait has gained significant momentum in recent years. There is no doubt that the two countries possess sufficient potential to significantly increase trade turnover, and they are actively working towards this goal.
The year 2024, in particular, demonstrated an unprecedented activity in economic interaction, with over 50 visits by representatives of large and medium-sized Kuwaiti companies and financial institutions to Uzbekistan. These included delegations from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, 'Gulf General Trading Co.', 'Petroleum Dynamics', 'Al-Tijaria Group', 'The Commercial Real Estate Сo.', 'Rawasi Kuwait Holding Co.', 'Kuwait Investment Co.' (KIC), 'AlJaber Group Holding', 'Biomedix Medical Group Co.', 'Advanced Medical German Co.', 'KAMCO Investment Co.', 'Alkandari General Trading Co.', 'Unique Goods', 'Zenith Business Solution', 'Golden Carpet', 'AlMawashi', and other companies.
Mr. Yusuf Al-Ali, President of the 'Kuwait Investment Company' (KIC), and Mr. Iyad Salih, Chief Executive Officer of the 'Gulf General Trading Co.', participated in the 3rd Tashkent International Investment Forum, held on May 2-3, 2024.
Senior executives from the 'Gulf Care Gen. Trad. Co.', 'Biomedix Medical Group Co.', and 'Advanced Medical German Co.' also represented Kuwait at the 'Kashkadarya Invest-2024' business forum held in Karshi last November.
The 'Made in Uzbekistan' business forums and exhibitions, staged in Kuwait during May and August 2024, were highly successful. Furthermore, delegations from Uzbekistan – led by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the Committee for the Development of Sericulture and Wool Industry, the Public Council for Entrepreneurship Support under the President of Uzbekistan, comprising over 100 Uzbek entrepreneurs – visited Kuwait to engage in productive discussions.
Tashkent hosted the inaugural session of the Uzbek-Kuwaiti Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation in 2024, with a delegation from Kuwait headed by Ms. Noura Al-Fassam, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments of Kuwait.
A key development in bilateral trade in 2024 was Uzbekistan's first-ever export of over 20 metric tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to Kuwait, marking an initial step toward expanding commercial ties. The active participation of Uzbek companies in the 'Kuwait International Agro Food Exhibition', held in Kuwait City on December 15-16, 2024, further paved the way for expanding Uzbek product exports to the Kuwaiti market.
In the investment sphere, negotiations were initiated in 2024 with the Kuwaiti corporation 'Fouad Al-Ghanim and Sons Group of Companies' regarding joint projects worth 640 million US dollars for the construction of hydroelectric power stations in the Bostanlyk region and five projects worth $50 million to supply drinking water to five regions of Uzbekistan.
Active cooperation continues with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). Due to Kuwait's concessional loans, large-scale social projects are being implemented in Uzbekistan in the fields of healthcare, education, and various infrastructure sectors.
Since 2000, with the participation of the fund, 10 projects worth a total of 210 million US dollars have been implemented in Uzbekistan in the field of infrastructure, construction and healthcare, and an agreement has been concluded on the provision of technical assistance in the amount of 500 thousand US dollars.
It is important to note that the Government of Kuwait provided financial assistance for equipping the Memorial Complex of Imam al-Bukhari in Samarkand, the 'Hazrat Imam' Foundation, the construction and equipping of the new building of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, the computerization of 50 school classrooms, and the provision of equipment to medical facilities in our republic.
In addition, in January 2024, surgeons from Kuwaiti clinics affiliated with the 'Gulf General Trading Co.' provided thirty free heart surgeries to young children in medical facilities in Fergana region as a form of charitable aid.
The strong historical and spiritual ties developing between Uzbekistan and Kuwait are reflected in active cooperation in the fields of culture and education. Both states attach particular importance to the preservation and popularization of Islamic heritage, its study, and its transmission to future generations.
Cultural exchange between the countries serves as an important bridge of mutual understanding. Joint exhibitions, conferences, and festivals are regularly held, showcasing the richness of the traditions, art, and literature of the two peoples. Special attention is given to cooperation in the study of Islamic culture, historical monuments, and manuscript heritage, opening new opportunities for research and academic collaboration.
In this area, reciprocal visits by representatives of the scientific communities of both countries are organized, along with their participation in various international and cultural-educational events held in Uzbekistan and Kuwait.
For instance, Kuwaiti artists are regular participants in the 'Sharq Taronalari' International Music Festival held in Samarkand. Representatives from Uzbekistan, in turn, have participated in international exhibitions of applied arts in Kuwait, including 'Islamic Art,' exhibitions of women's clothing, and the international conference 'Women and Health.'
In 2024, Kuwaiti representatives participated in the Asian Women's Forum held in Samarkand on the theme 'Regional Approach to Economic, Social, and Political Expansion of Women's Rights and Opportunities', the 12th Session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Khiva, the Abu Ali Ibn Sino International Biology Olympiad in Bukhara, the Global Youth Festival held in the Samarkand, Bukhara, Jizzakh, and Khorezm regions and the city of Tashkent, the 'LIPTIS Pharmaceuticals Annual Scientific Symposia' held in Tashkent, and the 'Central Asian Air Cargo Summit' in Tashkent.
The foregoing demonstrates that Uzbekistan and Kuwait have established a sound foundation for the further development and strengthening of relations in new areas, have achieved significant successes in several areas, and are ready to continue unlocking the existing vast potential to increase mutually beneficial cooperation.
Undoubtedly, the upcoming official visit of the head of our state to Kuwait will give an additional impetus to deepening bilateral interaction, expanding economic and humanitarian ties, and will contribute to further advancing the partnership to a new level.