KUWAIT: France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier said that his country sees strong potential to deepen investment and trade relations with Kuwait, highlighting a range of opportunities across key sectors.
During a media briefing at the Embassy of France in Kuwait, the French minister noted that Kuwaiti authorities, government entities and companies have proposed several investment opportunities, and France is ready to respond with concrete proposals.
On bilateral trade, the minister acknowledged that current trade volumes favor Kuwait, with France’s imports from Kuwait significantly surpassing its exports. “France imports nearly two billion dollars’ worth of goods from Kuwait, while our exports to Kuwait amount to around 700 million dollars. We are eager to increase our collaboration, and the French companies remain very attentive to the needs and demands of our Kuwaiti partners.”
He added that France already has a strong presence in Kuwait, particularly in luxury goods, food and consumer products, which he described as a natural fit for the local market, stressing that future cooperation should focus on meeting Kuwait’s strategic needs, especially in infrastructure, energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies.
The minister pointed to major ongoing and potential tenders, including aviation and airport modernization projects, referencing Airbus as a key player, as well as opportunities in renewable energy, an area where French companies have significant expertise, noting that several discussions are already underway.
He underlined that France has been ranked for six consecutive years as the most attractive country in Europe for foreign direct investment, reflecting its strong business environment. The minister also highlighted discussions on AI and advanced technologies, mentioning leading French AI firms and expressing his ambition to encourage future partnerships between French technology companies and their Kuwaiti counterparts.
Reflecting on his visit, he described Kuwait as welcoming and strategically important, emphasizing the long-standing and close relationship between the two countries. He recalled that 2026 will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Kuwait, noting that France was among the first countries to establish ties with Kuwait.
The minister concluded by reaffirming France’s commitment to building a comprehensive, long-term and mutually beneficial partnership with Kuwait, describing the relationship as one based on trust, shared interests and strong personal ties.
