Forissier concludes Kuwait visit, highlights deep bilateral ties and strong growth potential
Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait
French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier concluded an official visit to Kuwait marked by intensive high-level engagements, underscoring a shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation at a pivotal moment in France-Kuwait relations.
Speaking at a press conference held at the French Residence, Minister Forissier described Kuwait as a friendly nation with which France maintains a relationship built on trust, consistency, and shared ambition.
He expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the Kuwaiti leadership, conveying his gratitude to HH the Amir and the HH Crown Prince, as well as to senior officials and members of the government with whom he held meetings. He noted that the visit was characterized by highly substantive and productive discussions, supported by the presence of a significant delegation of French companies.
The visit comes as both countries prepare to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, reflecting a growing will in Kuwait and Paris to translate a long-standing friendship into forward-looking, multi-sectoral cooperation, aligned with national development priorities.
Minister Forissier emphasized that the current momentum in bilateral relations follows a period of remarkable intensity in political dialogue, highlighted by the historic visit of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to Paris on July 14, 2025. Held on France’s National Day at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, the meeting enabled the two Heads of State to set out a clear roadmap for an innovative, diversified, and mutually beneficial economic partnership.
Central to this new phase is the Strategic Investment Partnership (2025-2035), signed during the Amir’s visit, which aligns Kuwait Vision 2035 with France 2030. Priority areas include economic and investment cooperation, energy and sustainability, advanced technology and innovation, defense and security, healthcare, education, and culture.
Minister Forissier began his Kuwait program with a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, during which he reaffirmed the historic and strategic nature of France-Kuwait relations and stressed France’s full commitment to shaping what he described as “the partnership of tomorrow,” built around major future-oriented projects agreed upon at the highest level.
He also met with Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Sabah, alongside Sheikh Hamoud Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Director General of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation. Discussions highlighted France’s recognized expertise in aeronautics and airport infrastructure, gaining particular relevance as Kuwait advances major connectivity projects, including Mubarak Al-Kabir Port and the new passenger and cargo airport, both central to strengthening Kuwait’s regional positioning.
Meetings with Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ajeel and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Abdullatif Al-Meshari focused on how French companies can contribute directly to Kuwait Vision 2035. Minister Forissier presented French expertise in transport, logistics, smart mobility, connected infrastructure, and sustainable urban development as a strong complement to Kuwait’s national priorities.
Energy transition emerged as a central theme throughout the visit. France’s experience in waste-to-energy solutions, solar power, energy efficiency, battery technologies, and climate adaptation was highlighted as a practical response to Kuwait’s efforts to modernize its energy network. Minister Forissier stressed that France seeks to build long-term industrial partnerships, rather than short-term commercial transactions.
In the investment sphere, Minister Forissier met with Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), and Sheikh Saud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, Executive Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA). Discussions centered on strengthening bilateral investment flows within the framework of the Strategic Investment Partnership.
France, already Europe’s leading destination for foreign direct investment, presented its economic ecosystem-combining industrial capacity, technological innovation, financial stability, and advanced expertise, as a platform for deeper Kuwaiti investment, while reaffirming its support for French companies seeking to expand operations in Kuwait.
In advanced industries, Minister Forissier underscored France’s leadership in digital technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and space systems, noting that French companies are keen to engage closely with Kuwaiti stakeholders to deliver tailored solutions aligned with national priorities.
Healthcare emerged as a rapidly expanding pillar of the partnership. Together with Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, Minister Forissier welcomed the signing of six memoranda of understanding earlier this year with leading French healthcare institutions, including Gustave Roussy, Institut Curie, and Hôpital Foch. These agreements provide a framework for comprehensive cooperation spanning patient care, hospital management expertise, professional training, and joint research. The establishment of the Gustave Roussy Precision Medicine Hub in Kuwait was highlighted as a model for sustainable capacity-building and knowledge transfer.
The visit also underscored cooperation in media and digital transformation. Accompanied by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister Forissier toured the production site of Vectracom, which is partnering with Sultan-Ejabi Telecom on the digitization and enhancement of Kuwait Television’s archives. The project was presented as a model media partnership combining technological innovation with cultural preservation.
Education remains a cornerstone of France-Kuwait relations, with both governments working to expand student mobility, particularly for Kuwaiti students pursuing higher education in France. With a growing number of English-taught programs and globally ranked institutions, academic exchange continues to play a key role in long-term human capital development.
Minister Forissier also attended a networking reception hosted at the residence of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, whom he described as a great friend of France. The gathering brought together senior Kuwaiti and French private-sector leaders, aiming to translate high-level political dialogue into tangible economic outcomes through direct business engagement.
Minister Forissier emphasized that private-sector partnerships are essential to transforming strategic vision into implementation.
Concluding his visit, Minister Forissier stressed that beyond trade and investment, France-Kuwait relations are defined by warmth, trustworthiness, and honesty.
He noted that cooperation extends across culture and people-to-people exchanges, giving the partnership its distinctive and enduring character. Reflecting on the relationships forged during the visit, he expressed his intention to return to Kuwait, while welcoming continued visits by Kuwaiti counterparts to France, underscoring a partnership rooted in genuine connection and sustained engagement.
