Australian Ambassador H. E. Robert J Tyson
With a variegated 40 years of rich experience in the world of diplomacy Australian Ambassador to Kuwait His Excellency Robert J Tyson comes across as an urbane, suave and extremely friendly person. His journey in diplomacy has taken him to many different corners of the world where he has left an indelible imprint.
In an exclusive interview with The Times the veteran diplomat opened new contours of the long and cordial relations that dot the horizon of the two countries. Having joined the foreign service in 1971, Ambassador Tyson has served previously in New Zealand, Thailand, Russia, USA, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. He is only the third resident ambassador in Kuwait even though Australia has had diplomatic relations with Kuwait since 1974, when the first non-resident ambassador to Kuwait was appointed.
In addition to stints in the Prime Minister’s Department in Canberra and the Victorian Premier’s Department in Melbourne (State govt), Ambassador Tyson has generally served as a policy officer in political and military affairs, though the nature of the work varies from posting to posting.
In Kuwait the primary focus is on commerce, tourism and also education.
“We have a long term relationship with Kuwait spanning more than 40 years, and were very pleased to be able to participate in the liberation of Kuwait.” This according to him was a very important milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
Australia in the Gulf is known for its livestock, and the story in Kuwait is no different. On the commercial relationship, Ambassador Tyson pointed out that this goes back many years and has been based primarily on livestock exports and automobiles.
“Many people are not aware that since the 1960s Kuwait has been importing cars from Australia, including Toyota Camrys and Aurions and Chevrolet Luminas and Caprices. This forms a major component of the bilateral trade between the two countries. Amongst other items from Australia are wheat and barley, dairy and food products, available in stores across Kuwait. Total bilateral trade between the two countries exceeds $1 billion dollars and is heavily in Australia’s favour.
Ventures such as the Australian College of Kuwait and Box Hill College of Kuwait and the growing number of students from Kuwait (approx 1500) add real depth and durability to the bilateral relationship by building personal links between our societies, the Ambassador pointed out. He was very upbeat about the world class education facilities offered in Australia and the growing demand in Kuwait for Australian education.
Australia is an increasingly preferred tourist destination and thousands of Kuwaitis visit every year. Kuwaitis can apply for and receive electronic visas online without having to attend the Embassy or submit their passports. The connections between the two countries are becoming easier and distance is no longer a major issue.
Ambassador Tyson disclosed that the embassy was planning a musical event in June as part of the ongoing cultural exchange between the two communities.
He pointed also to the significant Kuwaiti investment in Australia, which totals around $5 billion dollars, the bulk of it in portfolio investment by the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA). There is private investment also in real estate and agricultural production, and the investment climate is favourable. Ambassador Tyson encouraged Kuwaitis to consider further investment, noting that the Australian economy is now in its 22nd year of continuous economic growth, a performance unprecedented in Australia’s economic history and amongst other developed economies. Australia is the fourth largest economy in Asia and the 12th largest economy in the world.
On Australian businesses in Kuwait Ambassador Tyson pointed out that there are several large Australian companies operating in Kuwait, generally in the area of engineering and infrastructure – companies such as WorleyParsons (technical projects and operational services), SMEC (professional engineering and development consultants) and Leightons (infrastructure and construction, oil and gas).
On the Kuwaiti side, Kuwaiti companies such as Agility Logistics, Action Group Holdings and the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company are engaged in a diverse range of activities in Australia, including banking, commercial real estate, mining and logistics. Kuwait Finance House, one of the largest Islamic banks, has an office in Melbourne.
Australia and Kuwait have also signed a Memorandum of understanding on the trade in live animals. This MoU outlines conditions for the trade and includes assurances that livestock will be treated in line with international animal welfare standards.
The Ambassador is optimistic about increased activity on the business front in the coming years, as Kuwait has a major development agenda and Australian companies have a keen interest in participating in these upcoming projects. He added that he looks forward to a further strengthening of the business relationship through the conclusion of an Australia – GCC Free Trade Agreement.
There are around 1,000 Australians working in Kuwait, mainly in education, health, banking and infrastructure development. Ambassador Tyson expressed his appreciation to the Kuwaiti leadership for their encouragement and support of the bilateral relationship.
– By Reaven D’Souza, Managing Editor