KUWAIT CITY, Jan 21: Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait, Tuba Nur Sönmez, on Wednesday emphasized Turkey’s keenness to strengthen trade relations with Kuwait and open new avenues for partnerships across various sectors.

The remarks came during a speech on the occasion of a visit by a Turkish delegation from the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) to the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ambassador Sönmez noted that bilateral relations have grown significantly in recent years, highlighting the historic visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Kuwait in October 2025 and the visit of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to Turkey in May 2014. These visits led to an agreement to elevate ties to the level of a strategic partnership, aiming to increase trade exchange to USD 5 billion.

She added that trade between the two countries reached approximately $1.08 billion in 2025, up 0.52 percent from 2024, marking the first growth since the COVID-19 pandemic. Kuwaiti investments in Turkey currently total around $2 billion, with 427 Kuwaiti companies operating in the Turkish market.

Ambassador Sönmez underlined that Kuwaiti-Turkish relations go beyond business, being rooted in mutual respect, brotherhood, and shared values, which she said will pave the way for a prosperous future for businesspeople in both countries.

The ambassador also praised MUSIAD as a platform supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into successful companies through guidance and support.

MUSIAD board member Selim Sar said the association aims to strengthen trade ties, sign memoranda of understanding, and develop trade exchanges with local partners, chambers of commerce, and organizations in countries where it operates. Sar added that MUSIAD has over 14,000 members in 98 locations across 82 countries, with more than 3,000 members outside Turkey, some holding leadership roles.

Sar noted that the delegation’s visit will explore opportunities in sectors such as energy, food industries, furniture, chemicals, and tourism, with results to be submitted to MUSIAD headquarters for follow-up and specialized sector visits.

Emad Al-Zaid, Assistant Director General of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted strong partnerships between Kuwaiti and Turkish companies in industry, trade, projects, and services. He said the increased trade volume reflects stable demand and private sector engagement in both countries, and emphasized moving from discussion to practical steps, including joint ventures and local partnerships based on transparency and shared interests.

Assistant Director-General of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emad Al-Zaid.