IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
The UK and Kuwait are celebrating 120 years of mutually beneficial ties that have defined the fate of both nations' development.
BIOGRAPHY
After several years on the East Africa desk and in Warsaw, Davenport became FCO head of the UN Peacekeeping Section of the UK’s UN department before serving as First Secretary Political in Moscow, Consul-General and Director for Trade Promotion in Warsaw, and FCO director for the Russia, South Caucasus, and Central Asia Directorate. He was later Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Belgrade and EU Ambassador and Head of EU Delegation to Serbia before becoming Ambassador to Kuwait.How has the Kuwait-UK relationship evolved in the past 120 years?
We are indeed marking 120 years of friendship between both nations, but we are also marking the deep and broad cooperation that Britain and Kuwait have together today, and we are looking ahead as well to developing that in the future. We have a very effective bilateral framework in the form of the Joint Steering Group (JSG), a result of a state visit by HH the Amir to the UK in 2012. That JSG will be meeting in summer 2019 for the 14th time, bringing together officials from both sides across multiple areas such as trade and investment, defense, and security. The relationship has evolved in positive directions. We are able to work together in areas that require a lot of trust and confidence on both sides. Our bilateral relationship is flourishing and, from our experience, we can observe a 20% YoY increase in British exports to Kuwait.
What initiatives are both nations implementing to strengthen their defense cooperation?
Defense and security are high priority areas for us, and always have been. Kuwait is a key friend and ally for us in the region, and more broadly. We have longstanding and excellent bilateral cooperation in this area, and actually have a permanent British presence in Kuwait in the form of the British Military Mission and 36 officers embedded with the Kuwaiti Armed Forces. We also have regular joint exercising and training between the Kuwaiti and the British Armed Forces. We jointly decided in December 2018 to step up the pace and frequency of our joint exercises and training activities. We completed an exercise called Desert Warrior in January 2019, which we will repeat in January 2020. There will be another joint exercise in the meantime in autumn, supplemented by an increased pace in short-term training teams. Additionally, we were pleased to recently welcome a Type 45 Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dragon, which is one of the more modern ships in the Royal Navy. This was possible because now, under the Gulf Strategy, and for the first time in 40 years, the UK has a permanent military presence in the region in the shape of the naval facility in Bahrain. Another aspect of our international security cooperation was the Saif Sareea 3 exercise in Oman at the end of 2018, which was the largest exercise in the region going on for 20 years. There has been a stronger emphasis under the Gulf Strategy since the Prime Minister's speech in Bahrain at the end of 2016, and we are now delivering on that. We see Kuwait and other countries of the Gulf as very important allies for the UK in defending our joint interests in the region. Furthermore, Kuwait is an important ally for us in the anti-Daesh coalition.
In what ways can UK companies help Kuwait increase its production capacity and modernize its industry and infrastructure?
There are two parts to that question. In terms of production capacity in the oil and gas sector, British companies are playing an important part in helping the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) increase production capacity, but also meet stringent, improved environmental standards. BP and Shell have both signed Enhanced Technical Services Agreements with KOC to improve their extraction of hydrocarbons, capacity building, improved reservoir management, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using concentrated solar power, and carbon-capture storage and usage. Separately, BP is working with Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) under another Enhanced Technical Service Agreement to offer innovative technical expertise for the Al Zour Refinery Project, using the latest UK technology.
IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Adel Abdul Wahab Al-Majed , Chairman, Kuwait Banking Association (KBA)
Through a broad array of information, specialized committees, staff expertise, and other resources, KBA supports Kuwait's banks as they perform their critical role in energizing the economy and helping communities thrive.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)
KDIPA adopts a proactive approach to attract value-added direct investments supported by an integrated promotional strategy serving Kuwait's developmental goals in line with its National Vision 2035.
read articleCommuniqué
Legal Reform and Infrastructure Projects Spell Opportunity for Foreign Investors
Along with the introduction and modernization of new laws and regulations, the vision of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to transform Kuwait into an international center for commerce and industry by 2035 is already being implemented through Kuwait's National Development Plan. Coupled with the promulgation of progressive FDI regulations, these new opportunities spell positive news for foreign companies looking to conduct business in Kuwait.
read articleFocus: Developing connectivity
Connecting the Dots
Today, connectivity is hardly indispensible for individuals and the companies where they work. Kuwait's smart cities, considered elsewhere in the book, will thrive on it, and meanwhile the nation continues to register notable business deals from the informatics sector.
read articleInterview
Khalid Abbas , Country Manager-Kuwait, Unilever
Contributing to the improved health and wellbeing of communities and reducing environmental footprint are key priorities for Unilever, which is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of up to 1 billion people globally by 2020.
read articleInterview
Mohammed Yousif Soud Al-Sabah , Board Chairman & Director, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR)
PAAAFR has adapted a package of policies to face challenges inherent to deserts, hot climate, and water scarcity, bringing Kuwait closer to achieving national food security, one step at a time.
read articleInterview
Yang Chunsen, Vice President/ Chief Representative, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East (CSCME) Kuwait
CSCME is a technology-driven company that leverages its R&D and long-standing partnership with the government to increase its participation in the future development of Kuwait.
read article