Latest news with #BelindaLewis
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
UK Envoy Belinda Lewis Bids Farewell with Big Wins for Culture, Trade & Peace
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: British Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, welcomed journalists to her Residence as she approaches the end of her posting. Reflecting on the past four years, Lewis lauded Kuwait's 'special and long-standing' partnership with the UK - noting that 2025 marks 250 years of bilateral trading ties. She also thanked the Kuwaiti people for their warm hospitality, recalling Ramadan diwaniyas and the Al-Qaffal ceremony marking the end of the pearl diving season as especially memorable cultural experiences. Lewis highlighted February 2024's rollout of the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme to Kuwaiti nationals as significant in strengthening people-to-people links between the two countries. Kuwaiti nationals made 162,000 trips to Britain in 2024 - a 6% increase from 2023, with Kuwait Airways now offering 19 direct flights a week to London and Manchester. She also expressed delight that an ever-growing number of Kuwaitis are choosing to study at UK universities, with over 10,000 currently undertaking courses there. Noting the UK and Kuwait's rich shared history, Lewis reflected on the success of joint celebrations to mark 125 years of official UK-Kuwait diplomatic relations - rounded off by His Highness the Amir's trip to Scotland to meet His Majesty King Charles III and discuss Kuwait's partnership with the King's Foundation; and His Highness' August 2023 Guest of Government visit to London marking 70 years since the establishment of the Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund, during which he oversaw the signing of a landmark investment partnership. Lewis noted that His Highness had travelled to the UK five times across her tenure, while Kuwait welcomed four UK Cabinet Ministers, including most recently the UK's Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP - plus numerous Ministers of State, senior officials and the Duke of Edinburgh. She said Britain was now 'close' to concluding a landmark Free Trade Agreement with the GCC, while praising the UK and Kuwait's burgeoning international humanitarian partnership that has seen the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development announce lifesaving joint funding for communities in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia. Asked about the situation in Gaza, Lewis strongly condemned the killing of civilians attempting to access humanitarian aid and called for an immediate end to the conflict, referring to the UK and 27 other countries' 21 July joint statement. She also detailed the Embassy's initiatives to fund specialist training for Kuwaiti medics deploying to Gaza, and its collaboration with the Palestinian Embassy and the British Consulate in Jerusalem to help small Palestinian businesses export their goods to Kuwait - with Lulu Hypermarket making a large order of foodstuffs earlier this year. Lewis expressed confidence that her successor, Qudsi Rasheed (who will arrive in September), would thoroughly enjoy his time in Kuwait, and that UK-Kuwait collaboration - be it on trade & investment, defence & security, education & culture, or climate & environment - would continue to go from strength to strength under his guidance.
Kuwait Times
17-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait bids farewell to four women diplomats
Indonesian ambassador Lena Maryana, British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, Head of the NATO Office at the NIRC, Nora-Elise Beck and Canadian Ambassador Aliya Mawani take a group photo. KUWAIT: The departure of four women ambassadors from Kuwait's diplomatic corps was marked on Wednesday with a farewell lunch hosted by Indonesian Ambassador Lena Maryana at her residence in Mishref. The gathering honored British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, Canadian Ambassador Aliya Mawani, US Ambassador Karen Sasahara, and Head of the NATO Office at the NIRC, Nora-Elise Beck. Ambassador Maryana described the gathering as more than a farewell — it was a tribute to the connections formed through shared purpose, respect and sisterhood. 'It's a bitter situation,' she said, referring to the departure of what she described as 'four strong ladies.' British Ambassador Belinda Lewis who completed her tenure with a focus on education, security, and cultural exchange, expressed gratitude for the solidarity she found among fellow women diplomats. 'I've learnt a great deal from so many of you, and I will take that sense of camaraderie and strength with me wherever I go.' Lewis spoke candidly about the challenges that come with leadership roles and the comfort found in having a trusted circle of peers. 'Sometimes we just have hard days,' she said. 'There are times where I sit there and I'm not sure who to ask, and I'm nervous or scared that I'll get it wrong. But knowing there are people you can turn to, who will listen and not judge you — that's worth its weight in gold.' Canadian Ambassador Aliya Mawani reflected on her three-and-a-half years in Kuwait with a similar tone of gratitude. 'So many people in this group have been instrumental in my learning about Kuwait, in my really feeling at home,' she said. 'This isn't just a network — it's a group of women who lifted each other and helped each other grow.' She also highlighted the practical value of having a supportive community. 'Many of us are first-time ambassadors and working parents. Just hearing someone say, 'You don't have to show up to everything — I know you have things to do,' made all the difference.' Nora-Elise Beck, who headed NATO's presence in Kuwait, reflected on her experience as a woman in the security field, often having to counter gender-based assumptions. 'I get asked, 'As a woman, how do you do your job in security?' And my response is always, 'As a man, how do you?'' she said. 'That kind of question wouldn't even be asked of them.' She added, 'One of the reasons I'm able to do my job is because of the support I got from all the women in Kuwait.' Despite her extensive experience across the Middle East, Beck noted that the professional solidarity she found in Kuwait was unlike anything she had encountered before. 'This kind of professional backing among women — I haven't experienced it before. I hope it's not unique to Kuwait. I hope we can replicate it in other environments.' Although US Ambassador Karen Sasahara was unable to attend due to departure preparations, she was remembered fondly by her peers and honored for her leadership and warmth throughout her time in Kuwait. Ambassador Maryana concluded her remarks with a heartfelt message to the departing diplomats: 'Though your time here will be finished soon, the mark you've left is lasting.'
Arab Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
The UK's first female ambassador to Kuwait leaves a lasting legacy
As the first female British Ambassador to Kuwait, Her Excellency Belinda Lewis has not only made history, but also forged one of the most dynamic chapters in the UKKuwait relationship. As her tenure comes to an end, she departs with admiration, gratitude, and a remarkable record of diplomacy, progress, and partnership. Ambassador Lewis has worked tirelessly to deepen ties between the two countries, launching the UKKuwait Strategic Dialogue, a highlevel framework that has enhanced political, economic, and security cooperation. She played an instrumental role in welcoming His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the UK on three signifi- cant visits, including a formal meeting with His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and again in Scotland earlier this year to mark the conclusion of the 125th anniversary of UK-Kuwait diplomatic relations. Her Excellency hosted His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh during a special visit to Kuwait in December, and welcomed four UK Cabinet Ministers and numerous senior officials, ensuring continued momentum in bilateral engagement. She actively contributed to four Joint Steering Groups focusing on mutual interests and strategic priorities. During her time in Kuwait, several landmark agreements were reached, from government-to- government defence procurement mechanisms, to multiple MoUs, to the historic 2023 Sovereign Investment Partnership, deepening investment cooperation between the two nations. Trade flourished under her stewardship, with bilateral commerce reaching an impressive £6.1 billion per year. Ambassador Lewis also championed educational and cultural exchange. With over 10,000 Kuwaiti students now pursuing degrees in British universities, the people-to-people links between the UK and Kuwait are stronger than ever. In the field of defence and security, joint exercises including a breathtaking performance by the Red Arrows reflected growing military cooperation. She also oversaw the UK and Kuwait's first international humanitarian partnerships, reflecting shared values and a global outlook. Belinda Lewis leaves behind more than achievements. She leaves behind trust, friendship, and inspiration. As the first woman to serve as Britain's Ambassador to Kuwait, she has paved the way for future generations while building a modern, resilient, and enduring partnership between our two nations. Thank you, Your Excellency, and farewell.
Kuwait Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
VisitBritain promotes UK diverse summer tourism beyond London - Faten Omar,
162,000 Kuwaitis visited UK in 2024, a 6 percent increase from 2023 KUWAIT: In collaboration with the British Embassy in Kuwait, Britain's national tourism agency, VisitBritain, organized a special afternoon tea event on Tuesday aimed at promoting the UK's diverse summer tourism experiences beyond London. During her opening remarks, British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis emphasized the importance of strengthening the close ties between the United Kingdom and Kuwait, noting the growing interest among Kuwaiti travelers in exploring the UK's home nations. Ambassador Lewis added that Kuwaitis made 162,000 visits to the UK in 2024, a 6 percent increase from 2023 — with an average spend of £2,641 per person. The Gulf region ranks as the UK's tenth-largest inbound market, and Kuwait is projected to have the third-highest visitor spend among GCC countries in 2025. The ambassador highlighted the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme as a major driver of this growth, explaining that Kuwaitis made 148,854 applications between February 2024 and March 2025 - the second highest in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia. British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis speaks at the event. Mirna Tamimi, Visit Britain's GCC Communications Manager speaks about the campaign. She also emphasized the Embassy's support for initiatives that showcase the UK's rich and diverse experiences, saying, 'We are delighted to welcome VisitBritain and media partners to the British Embassy today. As the long-standing bonds between the UK and Kuwait continue to strengthen, I am glad to see ever more Kuwaiti travelers choosing to visit the UK.' The event introduced VisitBritain's latest global campaign, Starring GREAT Britain, which taps into the rising trend of 'set-jetting' - visiting locations featured in popular films and TV series. The campaign invites travelers to discover iconic filming sites across England, Scotland and Wales. For her part, Mirna Tamimi, VisitBritain's GCC Communications Manager, showcased major events taking place this summer, including world-class sporting moments such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Wimbledon tennis tournament; Bath's festivities marking 250 years since the birth of renowned author Jane Austen; and the Liverpool Biennial, the UK's largest contemporary art festival. She also emphasized the ease of travel both to and within the UK, with 18 direct flights per week from Kuwait City to London and Manchester, and over 2,500 train stations connecting Britain's towns and cities. In his turn, Gary Robson, VisitBritain Director for Europe, Middle East & India, emphasized the importance of the Kuwaiti market, stating, 'Our collaboration with the British Embassy Kuwait helps us deepen ties in this key GCC region. We are working closely with local influencers and travel trade partners to inspire travel beyond London.' He added, 'Our culturally relevant campaigns, delivered in English and Arabic, are tailored to resonate locally through popular platforms such as Snapchat, which plays a key role in our engagement strategy across Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.'
Arab Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
VisitBritain Unveils New Summer Campaign to Boost UK Tourism
KUWAIT CITY, 17 June: VisitBritain, Britain's national tourism agency, and the British Embassy Kuwait, jointly hosted an afternoon tea showcasing the UK's vibrant summer experiences and promoting travel beyond London. The event was hosted by Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, British Ambassador to Kuwait, at her official Residence and attended by members of the local media, travel influencers, and content creators. Presenters showcased the breadth of Britain's tourism offering, with a focus on destinations and experiences outside of London. They also highlighted major events taking place this summer, including world-class sporting moments such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Wimbledon tennis tournament, Bath's festivities marking 250 years since the birth of renowned author Jane Austen, and the Liverpool Biennial, the UK's largest contemporary art festival. Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, British Ambassador to Kuwait, said: "We are delighted to welcome VisitBritain and media partners to the British Embassy today. As the long-standing bonds between the UK and Kuwait continue to strengthen, I am glad to see ever more Kuwaiti travellers choosing to visit the UK. The British Embassy is proud to support initiatives that encourage people to experience the rich diversity of that the UK's home nations have to offer." Alongside the various summer experiences on offer, the event also outlined VisitBritain's new global campaign, ' Starring GREAT Britain'. Launched earlier this year, the campaign taps into the growing trend of 'set-jetting', whereby travellers visit destinations featured in popular films and television shows - encouraging visitors to explore iconic filming locations across England, Scotland, and Wales. Gary Robson, VisitBritain Director for Europe, Middle East & India, said: 'Our collaboration with the British Embassy Kuwait is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen relationships in one of our key GCC markets. We're working closely with local media, influencers, and the travel trade to showcase the very best of Britain and encourage visitors to explore beyond London. Our culturally relevant campaigns, delivered in English and Arabic, are tailored to resonate locally through popular platforms such as Snapchat, which plays a key role in our engagement strategy across Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In 2024, Kuwaiti nationals made 162,000 trips to the UK, representing a 6% increase from 2023, with an average spend of £2,641 per visitor. The Gulf region is the UK's tenth-largest source market globally, with 1.04 million visits, and Kuwait is forecast to have the third-highest visitor spend among GCC countries this year. A major driver of this growth is the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which has made visiting easier than ever. Kuwaiti nationals made 148,854 applications between February 2024 and March 2025, the second highest in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and the UK also boast a number of regular direct flight connections, with 16 direct weekly flights from Kuwait City to London, along with additional services to Manchester.
