New Canada envoy vows to broaden bonds with Kuwait

01/12/2025

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1: The Canadian Embassy in Kuwait held a special reception for the graduates of Canadian universities, with Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister for the Americas Minister Plenipotentiary Nawaf Al-Ahmad in attendance. The event is one of the highlights of celebrations marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In her address to the attendees, Ambassador of Canada to Kuwait Tara Scheurwater expressed her happiness over the event, indicating it happened just one day after she presented her credentials to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. She affirmed her pride in starting her diplomatic mission in Kuwait at this historic juncture for bilateral relations.

Scheurwater revealed she aspires to propel Canadian-Kuwaiti relations to broader horizons, pointing out that her relationship with Kuwait “has now taken an official dimension, after being an unofficial ambassador in our previous meeting.” She emphasized that this year marks six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries, praising the solid foundation laid by previous ambassadors and the positive image many Kuwaitis hold of Canada. She said “Canada is no longer just a country with a cold climate compared to Kuwait and boasts stunning natural beauty, as it is now a hub for innovation and modern technology. Our bilateral relations have significant potential, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and innovative technologies. Oil cooperation between the two countries has been ongoing for years.

Many Kuwaitis have undergone treatment in hospitals endorsed by Canadian accreditation bodies or doctors who studied and trained in Canada.” She stated that the embassy is keen on strengthening cooperation in defense and security and building new partnerships in sectors that might not immediately come to mind when discussing Canada. “We know that Canada and Kuwait have capabilities. Together, we can work even harder,” she asserted.

On her priorities during her tenure in Kuwait, she intends to focus on defense and security, education, and innovative technology, particularly cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, while affirming the promising opportunities for mutual growth in these sectors.

Regarding trade between the two countries, she disclosed that the new Canadian Prime Minister set a challenge to double the volume of trade with Kuwait in the coming years, adding, “I do not know if it is entirely possible, but I will work hard to achieve it.” She confirmed the major opportunities in the defense and security, innovation, and health technology sectors, pointing out that Kuwaiti investments in Canada are substantial. “We also have Canadian investments in Kuwait that many are unaware of,” she added. During the event, Scheurwater met with a group of graduates from Canadian universities in Kuwait and praised their vital role in the health, finance, engineering, energy, education, arts, and government sectors.

By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff