KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and Acting Minister of Public Works Jassem Al-Ostad held a meeting with Ireland’s Minister for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond who was accompanied by the Irish Ambassador to UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, Alison Milton during his visit to Kuwait.

Minister Richmond’s visit is part of a three-day trade mission to Kuwait, Riyadh and Jeddah. The mission will focus on enhancing the existing trade links with the region and promoting Ireland’s services across aviation, digital technology and consumer sectors and finding opportunities for investment and cooperation especially in the field of aviation as Ireland is distinguished by its great experience in aviation and aerospace.

Kuwait and Ireland have great bilateral ties, notably in the field of education where most Kuwaiti students in the field of medicine study in Irish universities.

As a major growth market, Enterprise Ireland has had a presence in the GCC region for over 20 years. In 2022, Enterprise Ireland client exports to the Middle East and North Africa region increased by 8 percent. Irish companies exported €163.5 million in goods and services to Saudi Arabia in 2022, making it Enterprise Ireland’s largest trading partner in the MENA region, along with €44.9 million in exports to Kuwait.

“The Gulf region offers huge opportunities for exporting Irish SMEs, with over €200 million in exports to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia combined in 2022,” said Minister Neale Richmond. “Ireland’s particular strength in the global aviation sector is an impressive success story. “With a large focus on the aviation sector throughout the Trade Mission, I’m looking forward to promoting Ireland’s capabilities as a global leader in the sector, with the aim of opening up further opportunities for Irish enterprise.”

Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager for Industrial and Life sciences, with Enterprise Ireland said “During this trade mission, Enterprise Ireland, along with our client companies, aims to further showcase the very best of what Irish companies have to offer and to engage with business leaders across this region.”