Fourteen German firms hold productive talks with KCCI and KIA

The Times Kuwait Report

In a move underscoring the strength of economic relations between Kuwait and Germany, a high-level German business delegation arrived in Kuwait yesterday to explore opportunities for cooperation and deepen bilateral partnerships.

The delegation included representatives from 14 leading German companies across multiple sectors, as well as officials from the German government’s Export Credit Guarantees program.

The visit was to assess prospects for collaboration and expand trade and investment ties between the two countries.

German Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Hans-Christian von Reibnitz said the visit provides German companies with a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the Kuwaiti market and explore avenues for cooperation with local counterparts across various industries.

He noted that the organization of the visit reflects growing interest within the German business community in Kuwait’s market potential.

The ambassador explained that the initiative was the result of joint efforts between the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce in Dubai, the German Business Council in Kuwait, and the German Embassy.

He praised the support extended by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority in facilitating the visit’s program, stressing that this coordinated model is already yielding tangible results.

He highlighted that trade relations between the two countries rest on solid foundations. German exports to Kuwait reached approximately 1.13 billion euros in 2023, primarily comprising machinery, vehicles, and chemical products.

German companies are also active in Kuwait in sectors including infrastructure, energy, logistics, and healthcare, contributing to the implementation and development of key national projects.

Strategic Partnership

For his part, Florian Walter, Kuwait representative in the German Emirati Joint Council, said the delegation reflects the council’s growing engagement in the Kuwaiti market and its recognition of Kuwait as a pivotal strategic partner in the region.

He noted that the delegation consisted of 17 representatives from 14 German companies, who held productive meetings with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the KDIPA, and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare. The meetings yielded positive outcomes and strengthened communication between the two business communities.

Walter added that the current volume of trade remains below aspirations, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to boost trade flows and expand mutual investments.

While trade serves as a gateway to economic rapprochement, he said, investment — particularly from the private sector — represents the most important stage in consolidating long-term partnerships.

He also pointed out that Kuwaiti investments in Germany are well established and significant, whether through the Kuwait Investment Authority or public and private sector investors, particularly in the automotive industry, including major brands and supplier networks within the broader industrial mid-market sector.