UAE Kuwait Non-oil Trade Rises To AED 54.5 Billion In 2025, Up 9.1%

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Kuwait reaches AED54.5 billion ($14.8 billion) in 2025, according to Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade. This reflects year-on-year growth of 9.1 percent compared with 2024. Dr. Thani reports that mutual investments exceed $10 billion by the end of 2024, with over 60 percent originating from the UAE.

Dr. Thani explains that this performance reflects long-term cooperation rather than short-term gains. He stresses that the economic relationship rests on trust, shared strategic interests and close social connections between both peoples. These ties continue to adapt as each country develops a more diversified and modern economic base across multiple sectors.

The UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum is held in Dubai as part of the "UAE & Kuwait: Brothers Forever' week, which runs until 4 February across the country. The gathering aims to deepen trade, economic and investment relations while underlining the strength of historic ties between the two states and their citizens.

During the forum, participants examine ways to expand trade flows, encourage entrepreneurship and present joint business success stories. Discussions also focus on strengthening economic partnerships that back sustainable growth. Priority sectors include trade in goods and services, investment cooperation and other activities that support both countries’ long-term development goals.

In his address, Dr. Thani recalls that Kuwaiti traders were among the first regional investors to recognise opportunities in the UAE, well before the federation’s establishment. These early activities helped build trading links, supported re-export operations and contributed to the broader economic development that followed in later decades.

Dr. Thani notes that the forum takes place during a period of strong momentum in bilateral relations. He states that this reflects the shared intention of the UAE and Kuwait leadership to raise cooperation to wider levels of strategic partnership, with a particular focus on trade and investment collaboration.

UAE–Kuwait economic forum and Gulf integration

Marwa Al Jaidan, Undersecretary at Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, says relations between Kuwait and the UAE represent a solid example of Gulf cooperation. The relationship is rooted in decades of joint work spanning economic, trade and investment fields, supported by regular institutional coordination between both sides.

Al Jaidan states that bilateral trade approaches $14 billion by the end of 2024. Tourism links also expand, supported by more than 170 weekly flights connecting the two countries. These air links help increase business travel, family visits and leisure tourism, further reinforcing economic and social relations across the Gulf.

According to Al Jaidan, the UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum serves as a strategic platform for public- and private-sector coordination. Delegates explore potential investments in industry, energy, advanced technologies, logistics and tourism. She reiterates Kuwait’s commitment to joint action and deeper economic integration, guided by both leaderships and supporting sustainable growth across the GCC.

With inputs from WAM