TUNIS: The fourth session of the Kuwaiti-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee, scheduled to take place in Tunis from November 18 to 20, offers a new opportunity to enhance the long-standing bilateral relations and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries. Discussions about establishing a direct air route between Tunisia and Kuwait is on the meeting’s agenda.

The cooperative relations between Kuwait and Tunisia date back to the early 1960s, when diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. Estimates indicate that the total volume of Kuwaiti investments in Tunisia is around half a billion dollars, with $200 million in government investments. These investments are spread across various vital sectors such as financial services, tourism, telecommunications, industry, trade, agriculture, and real estate. Kuwait and Tunisia have signed around 50 agreements since the establishment of diplomatic relations over 53 years ago.

Former Tunisian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ounaiss told KUNA that the relationship between Tunisia and Kuwait serves as a model of Arab bilateral cooperation, based on consultation and consensus on most issues. He highlighted that Kuwait is distinguished by its openness and its recognition of the importance of collaborating with its Arab neighbors for mutual development—a mindset deeply ingrained in Kuwaiti culture. He also noted that Kuwait’s political and cultural maturity is a key factor in making Tunisian-Kuwaiti relations both unique and dynamic.

Ounaiss added that Kuwaiti investments are significant across various sectors in Tunisia, with both the government and private sector playing an active role in the country’s economic development through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. This fund has been instrumental in supporting many of Tunisia’s economic sectors, and notably, the Fund’s first-ever loan was granted to Tunisia.

The first agreement for economic cooperation was signed in 1963. Kuwaiti investments in Tunisia began in 1976, forming a successful model for investment cooperation in the Arab world. These investments span various sectors, including financial services, tourism, telecommunications, industry, trade, agriculture, and real estate, positively contributing to Tunisia’s economic sectors.

The Kuwait Investment Authority has actively supported its investments in Tunisia through its investment arm, Equity Capital, demonstrating strong confidence in the Tunisian market. The authority has invested in high-value sectors, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, the automotive industry, financial services, and tourism.

The former minister emphasized that bilateral relations are currently thriving, thanks to the strong and harmonious connection between the political leaderships of both countries, characterized by alignment of views and ongoing communication. He said the fourth session of the Kuwaiti-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee “is an important event between the two countries and will certainly open new and broad horizons for cooperation between them.”

During the 162nd session of the Arab League Council of Foreign Ministers held in Cairo last September, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, where both sides emphasized the importance of preparing for the upcoming meeting of the Kuwaiti-Tunisian Joint Committee, which will discuss ways to further develop economic, financial, and technical cooperation between the two countries. Both sides appreciated the deep-rooted relations between the two countries and the peoples of Tunisia and Kuwait. The Tunisian foreign minister also conveyed the greetings of Tunisian President Kais Saied to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Former Tunisian Diplomat Abdullah Al-Abidi told KUNA that the Tunisian-Kuwaiti relations go back decades, with high-level visits exchanged between the two countries. He emphasized that Kuwait believes in the importance of economic cooperation to strengthen the close relations it shares with Tunisia, and thus strives to support development in various sectors. Abidi pointed out that the fourth session of the Kuwaiti-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee will continue to bridge the two countries and strengthen their cooperation. He highlighted many agreements between the two sides in the fields of agricultural and industrial development, electricity, ports, mines, roads, railways, dams, bridges, and other major projects. — KUNA