Kuwait - France

Executive Summary

What is this report about?
France and Kuwait have a long-standing defense and diplomatic ties that goes back to 1991. France's contribution to liberating Kuwait in 1991, and its firmness on implementing Kuwait-linked UN resolutions on Iraq (acknowledgment of the border, payment of compensation, return of archives and remains of Kuwaiti soldiers) etc. served as founding stones of the relationship between the two countries. In addition to the traditional trade and defense ties, France has also collaborated with Kuwait on cultural, scientific and technical areas including archaeology, healthcare and education. The country is also an important investment destination to Kuwait investors, with many new private equity funds being created in collaboration between the two countries. The potential for French products and services remains high, especially in areas of food, medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, luxury goods, metals and machinery works. This report analyzes the lessons on offer from France, and possibilities for potential tieups in areas of Kuwaiti interest.

Who will benefit and why?
The report will benefit anyone tracking the Kuwait-France relationships in trade, investments and bilateral cooperation, such as regulators and government agencies, bankers, economists, academia and cross-border traders. This report would help these entities to gain an understanding of the relationship at present, and provide an outlook for the future.

How exhaustive is this report?
We have analyzed the trade and investment relationship between Kuwait and France, and the various avenues, where bilateral relationship exists between the two countries. The report examines the factors that have led to France's growth as a major global economy, and the lessons that Kuwait can learn from them. We have also highlighted how Kuwait can strengthen its own economy by leveraging on the strengths of its trade partner, and finally, the sectors of French that should be of interest to Kuwait, both for potential tie-ups and investments.