JOINT PARTNERSHIP
Kuwait and Germany enjoy an extremely high level of cooperation as elected members of the UN Security Council and in other fields.
BIOGRAPHY
Karl Bergner was the German Ambassador to the State of Kuwait. He joined the German Foreign Service in 1989 and served in the Political Section of the German Embassy in London and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Panama. After a subsequent post in the Personnel Affairs Department of the Foreign Office in Bonn, he gained first leadership experiences as Head of the Embassy Office in Abuja. He also held the positions of Deputy Head of the Foreign Service Academy, Head of the Political Department of the German Embassy in Madrid, and Head of the Southern European Division of the Foreign Office. From 2013-2016, he was Minister for Communication and Culture at the German Embassy in Washington.What major factors make Kuwait a strategic diplomatic partner in the GCC region?
Kuwait is a stabilizing factor in the region; it has always tried to mediate and de-escalate and continues to do so, for example with regards to the ongoing rift within the GCC. It pursues a value-based foreign policy and supports multilateral approaches within the framework of the UN and is currently an elected member of the UN Security Council, similar to Germany. Kuwait is also heavily engaged in humanitarian assistance within the region and beyond, a fact that has been recognized through the nomination of HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah as “Humanitarian Leader" by the UN. Through all this, Kuwait has a soft power that goes far beyond its size or population and makes it an important diplomatic partner in the region.
Kuwaiti investment in Germany has reached about EUR30 billion while German exports to Kuwait are worth over EUR1.3 billion; are you satisfied with these numbers or do you see room for improvement?
I am extremely pleased with these numbers. More importantly, all these investments have been beneficial to the Kuwaiti investors as well as the German companies involved, because Kuwaitis tend to have long-term view on investments that corresponds very well with the German approach. And on the trade side, Germany is still the largest European exporter of goods to Kuwait. However, I would not be a good ambassador if I did not try to increase these already positive numbers. We plan to organize an investment seminar to showcase investment opportunities in Germany and will certainly continue to promote Kuwait as a stable and wealthy market to German companies.
How are Germany and Kuwait enhancing collaboration in the education field in order to boost the number of Kuwaiti students in German universities?
One of my personal objectives as ambassador is to increase the number of Kuwaiti students in Germany. It is a strategic advantage to have a certain number of Kuwaitis who studied in Germany, hopefully learnt the language, and know the German culture. Such a pool of Kuwaitis will be instrumental to improving bilateral relations—from a level that is already very high—and to bring even more German business to Kuwait. Now, I also recognize the challenges on this path, in particular the language. This is why we have started an initiative that will create a German ecosystem in Kuwait at various levels. We will first strengthen language training in not only schools, but also in institutions of higher education. In parallel, we will strive to increase the number of postgraduate and doctoral students, because many of these programs can be done entirely in English, and this will help to develop new academic ties between Germany and Kuwait. And we are also in contact with the Ministry of Higher Education to find ways to increase the number of undergraduate students in Germany. One argument there is that the high-quality education in Germany is free of charge.
What are your expectations for the year ahead?
For our bilateral relations, I expect a continuation of the very high level of cooperation we currently enjoy as elected members of the UN Security Council and in other fields. With regard to our commercial relations, I foresee a further increase after the implementation of German-led projects in Kuwait. I am confident the German companies that have been awarded contracts will not only bring a number of smaller German companies in their tow, but also convince Kuwaitis through the quality and reliability of their work. And in cultural relations, I hope to see the first fruits of our efforts to increase the number of Kuwaiti students in Germany. I will personally not experience all this, because I will return to Germany at the end of July. Hence, this is a great occasion to thank my Kuwaiti friends for the cordial hospitality and friendship they have offered to my wife and I. Kuwait has a big space in our hearts and will be there forever.
JOINT PARTNERSHIP
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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