The UAE-Kuwait Economic Forum discussed bilateral economic relations and investment opportunities. Sheikh Saad Al-Sabah, Director of Corporate Finance and Syndicated Finance at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), noted that the UAE economy is characterized by proactivity and flexible legislation. He emphasized that continuous investment in infrastructure has enhanced the country's position as a regional and global financial center. KFH, one of the first institutions to contribute to the concept of Islamic banking, is today the world's second-largest Islamic bank. Sheikh Saad also mentioned that the UAE provides a supportive environment for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) financing through various facilities and innovative programs. Kuwaiti businessman Talal Jasim Al-Kharafi discussed his family's presence in the UAE since the early 1960s and the expansion and prosperity of the Al Khawari Group. He described how the company, starting from simple operations, became a prime contractor for major projects like Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport. Sheikh Saad Al-Sabah and Talal Al-Kharafi confirmed that the historical relationship between the UAE and Kuwait has positively impacted the private sectors of both countries, fostering cooperation and project support. During a session titled 'The Al-Kharafi Story in the UAE', investment opportunities in the UAE and the growing interest of Kuwaiti businessmen in expanding their operations in the market were also discussed. Kuwait's Ambassador to the UAE, Jamal Muhammad Al-Ghanim, and the UAE's Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Matar Al-Niyadi, affirmed the strength of the historical relations between the two countries, which have been deepened by the vision of their leaders and continuous cooperation across various sectors. Ambassador Al-Ghanim noted that the UAE has become a primary destination for Kuwaitis in healthcare and education, thanks to its advanced institutions that rival those previously sought in the US and Europe. Ambassador Al-Niyadi, in turn, stated that he felt at home upon assuming his post and that the UAE shares in the joy of its brothers in Kuwait, driven by a firm belief in the unity of purpose and shared destiny.
