The UAE and Kuwait have signed a series of bilateral agreements aimed at expanding cooperation across key sectors such as health, energy, education, defence, and technology. The signing took place during the official visit of UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kuwait, with the ceremony hosted at Bayan Palace alongside Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Among the agreements is a landmark Dhs9 billion defence contract with UAE’s EDGE Group, marking one of the region’s largest naval export deals. The contract includes the supply of several Falaj 3-class missile boats to Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence, reinforcing the countries’ growing military ties.
The wide-ranging memoranda of understanding (MoUs) also cover:
-
Healthcare: Collaboration on public health initiatives and medical services.
-
Education: Joint efforts to enhance academic exchange and institutional partnerships.
-
Infrastructure & Energy: Cooperation on road transport, oil and gas, and clean energy.
-
Technology & Industry: Support for innovation and industrial knowledge-sharing.
-
Legal & Humanitarian Affairs: Frameworks addressing human trafficking and legal coordination.
-
Investment: Bilateral investment promotion between the UAE’s Ministry of Investment and Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority.
-
Security & Data: Agreements on joint data protection and security information systems.
A major development is Kuwait’s entry into the “Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership,” which involves global firms like Microsoft, BlackRock, MGX, and Global Infrastructure Partners — with the UAE already a key participant.
EDGE’s naval contract stands out for its strategic significance. The UAE-based defence group will serve as the primary contractor, handling the complete design, construction, and in-service support of the vessels. Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), EDGE’s naval division, has been tasked with executing the build. Ammunition supply is also included under the comprehensive defence package.
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, described the deal as a milestone, citing its contribution to regional defence cooperation and the UAE’s ambitions in global defence exports.
The visit signals a renewed commitment to advancing UAE-Kuwait relations, with the agreements expected to catalyze long-term collaboration in sectors shaping the future economic and security landscape of the Gulf.
