WASHINGTON, Oct 8: Kuwait and the United States signed an agreement Tuesday in Washington, D.C. to strengthen cooperation in customs operations, border security, and the exchange of technical expertise, as part of broader efforts to modernize and secure cross-border activities between the two nations.

The agreement was inked during a meeting between Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott, at the agency’s headquarters in the US capital.

According to a statement issued by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, the two sides explored avenues for enhancing customs procedures and port security, while discussing mechanisms for exchanging operational expertise to improve the movement of passengers and cargo between Kuwait and the United States.

The meeting included a detailed presentation for Sheikh Fahad on CBP’s operational procedures, including modern surveillance, inspection systems, and smart technologies used in managing international travel and goods flow.

Talks also touched on the potential for organizing joint training programs aimed at qualifying national cadres in port management, and adopting advanced inspection technologies to increase the efficiency of border control and customs procedures.

At the conclusion of the talks, both parties signed an agreement aimed at reinforcing bilateral cooperation in border and customs security, in addition to formalizing the exchange of technical know-how to develop more efficient work mechanisms on both sides.

Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to expanding areas of customs and security collaboration with the United States. He emphasized the importance of continuous coordination in building sustainable national capabilities that can adapt to the fast-paced changes in port and border security landscapes.

Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, also attended the meeting.

The visit and signing ceremony form part of Sheikh Fahad’s official visit to the United States, aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation between the two long-standing partners.