Kuwaiti merchants played early role in shaping UAE’s economic foundations
Gulf partnership in action, from trade routes to mega projects contributed to UAE growth
Before the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, trade served as a key channel of social and economic interaction across the Arabian Gulf.
Merchant networks linked regional markets, facilitated the exchange of goods and expertise, and fostered partnerships built on trust.
Within this framework, Kuwaiti merchants established an early presence in what would become the UAE, contributing to commercial activity and local economic growth.
The coastal cities of the UAE, strategically positioned along major maritime trade routes, attracted Gulf traders, including Kuwaitis, who found a flexible and expanding business environment.
This came amid wider regional economic shifts that encouraged Gulf capital to seek emerging markets capable of sustaining long-term investment.
According to an official UAE report, Kuwaiti business families brought experience in maritime and overland trade, commercial agency management and supply chain operations.
Their activities supported the expansion of import and distribution networks and helped connect local markets with Gulf and international economies. Their presence spanned multiple sectors and evolved in line with changing economic conditions.
Several Kuwaiti families became closely associated with key sectors of the UAE economy. The Al Bahar family developed commercial operations extending from Kuwait to the Emirates, particularly in heavy equipment, energy and logistics.
Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Bahar Company supplied machinery for major infrastructure projects, linking the family name to the UAE’s development trajectory.
The Al-Sayer family also built an early footprint through industrial and commercial investments, later diversifying across sectors in line with the UAE’s economic expansion.
The Al-Kharafi family emerged as a major player in construction, development and infrastructure, while also investing in hospitality and food industries, contributing to growth and food supply systems.
Other Kuwaiti families maintained a broad commercial and service presence. The Al-Roudhan family engaged in trade and services, drawing on maritime and commercial experience while expanding into sectors such as transport and environmental services.
The Al Rifai family pursued diversified activities through companies operating in contracting, auto parts, food industries and legal services.
The Al Hassawi family was active in real estate and hospitality investment from the 1950s, with projects in Dubai and Sharjah, later expanding into refrigeration, contracting and medical ventures.
Meanwhile, the Bukhamseen family became known for early investments in real estate and banking, contributing to the establishment of major financial institutions, including First Gulf Bank in Abu Dhabi in 1979, which later became part of First Abu Dhabi Bank.
These examples illustrate that the role of Kuwaiti business families in the UAE extended beyond capital flows, encompassing knowledge transfer, market development and job creation. Their activities reflected a broader pattern of Gulf economic integration based on shared interests and longstanding commercial ties.
