On 17-18 February 2025, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid his first official visit to the State of Kuwait.
As part of the program of stay in the city of Al Kuwait, the Leader of Uzbekistan held historic talks with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah, as well as fruitful meetings with key members of the Government and heads of leading companies and financial institutions of this country.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah have adopted a Joint statement on the development of Uzbek-Kuwaiti relations of comprehensive partnership.
The summit also resulted in signing a solid package of agreements in various areas of cooperation, including in the economic sphere for the amount of $4.9 billion.
In particular, the following documents were signed:
- – Agreement on cooperation in the field of industry;
- – Protocol to the Agreement on Air Services;
- – Agreement on cooperation in the labor sphere;
- – Agreement on cooperation in the field of creation of “smart” cities;
- – Agreement on Cooperation in the field of art and culture;
- – Agreement on cooperation in the field of health care;
- – Program of activities in the field of tourism for 2025-2027;
- – Cooperation Agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
As part of the cultural program, the leader of our country toured the expositions of the Al-Salam Palace Museum, reflecting the culture and history of the Kuwaiti people.
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 Embassy of Kuwait has been operating in Uzbekistan since 2001, while Uzbekistan established its diplomatic mission in Kuwait in 2004.
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 bilateral relations and jointly advancing on the path of sustainable development.
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.
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.
Undoubtedly, the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan 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.
The priority areas of practical cooperation have been identified as: ‘green’ energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture, transport and logistics, infrastructure, urban development, healthcare, and tourism.
In order to promote joint projects, it was agreed to establish such mechanisms as the Investment Platform and the Business Council, as well as to open a trading house in the city of El Kuwait.
Special attention was paid to building up a portfolio of projects with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development under the new Partnership Programme.
In addition, the sides agreed to hold cross cultural and tourism weeks in Uzbekistan and Kuwait and actively promote the participation of representatives of the two countries in cultural and humanitarian events in the fields of art, music, cinema, education and sports.
