Erdogan gifted Kuwait’s Emir a model of Türkiye’s innovative electric car, Togg
Four agreements were established between Kuwait and Türkiye, in the esteemed presence of Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Following a series of bilateral and inter-delegation discussions at Kuwait’s Bayan Palace, a formal ceremony took place where various agreements between the two nations were officially signed.
A maritime transport agreement, along with a memorandum of understanding concerning the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates, was signed by Kuwaiti Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Youssef Saud Al-Sabah and Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Furthermore, a memorandum regarding cooperation in the energy sector was signed by Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Subaih Abdulaziz Abdulmohsen Al-Muhaizem, and Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
Erdogan’s Gulf tour begins
Additionally, a memorandum on cooperation concerning direct investment incentives was established between the state of Kuwait, represented by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), and Türkiye, represented by the Presidential Investment and Finance Office. This agreement was signed by Sheikh Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, KDIPA director general, and Ahmet Burak Daglıoglu, head of the Turkish investment office.
After being warmly welcomed to Kuwait with an official ceremony, Erdogan engaged in inter-delegation meetings with Sheikh Mishal. As a token of goodwill, Erdogan presented Mishal with a model of Türkiye’s homegrown electric car, Togg. Kuwait marks the first destination on Erdogan’s three-day Gulf tour, which also encompasses Oman and Qatar. Following the conclusion of his official visit to Kuwait, Erdogan departed for Doha, the capital of Qatar.
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Growing bilateral relationship
Türkiye and Kuwait maintain a robust bilateral trade relationship that reflects strong historical, cultural, and economic ties. In 2023, Türkiye exported goods worth approximately $709 million to Kuwait. The primary exports from Türkiye to Kuwait included rolled tobacco ($56.6 million), non-fillet fresh fish ($28.8 million), and building stone ($21.9 million). These exports have shown a slight annual growth rate over the past five years. On the other side, Kuwait’s exports to Türkiye stood at $113 million in 2023, dominated by semi-finished iron ($39.7 million), cyclic hydrocarbons ($24.9 million), and ethylene polymers ($21.5 million). However, Kuwait’s exports to Türkiye have decreased at an annualized rate of 13.6 percent over the last five years.
Trade dynamics between the two are impacted by infrastructural projects such as the GCC Railway, which is expected to enhance connectivity between Türkiye and Gulf countries, including Kuwait. Türkiye and Kuwait have also signed strategic agreements in 2025, covering key sectors such as energy, maritime transport, trade, investment, and defense industry, further signaling a deepening of their economic collaboration.
Türkiye’s exports to Kuwait in 2024 amounted to around $561 million, with top categories including apparel, carpets, machinery, and furniture. Imports from Kuwait to Türkiye in 2024 were about $151.75 million, primarily mineral fuels, organic chemicals, and plastics.
More than 300 Kuwaiti companies operate in Türkiye with investments worth $1.7 billion, focusing on finance, real estate, trade, and industry. Turkish companies have also won tenders in Kuwait valued at $6.5-7 billion, highlighting the reciprocal nature of economic engagement.
