The Emirati-Kuwaiti relations are deeply rooted in history and form a unique model of fraternal relations between countries,’ Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, stated, affirming the strength of the relations between the two countries that began in the early 1950s. To what extent do their economic relations extend?

$35 billion of mutual investments by 2030

Dr. Kamal Amin Al-Wassal, an economic advisor, professor of economics at Alexandria University, and an expert in Emirati affairs, told "Annahar" that the value of mutual investments between the UAE and Kuwait reached $10 billion by the end of 2024, “more than 60% of which comes from the UAE to Kuwait, with the financial sector leading the investments, and 1,800 Kuwaiti companies registered in the UAE outside free zones.”

He adds: “The volume of mutual investments reflects the strength of economic relations, owing to similar economic policies and investment opportunities across various sectors in both countries. This is based on several factors, including developmental strategies, the desire to diversify the economy, and Gulf investment trends toward developing technology sectors, renewable energy, and logistics services. The volume of mutual investments between the UAE and Kuwait is expected to reach between $25 and $35 billion by the end of 2030.”

Al-Wassal notes that Kuwaiti investment opportunities in the UAE span many fields, “most notably financial services, financial technology (Fintech), commercial and tourism real estate, the health sector, private education, and investment in renewable energy.”

As for Emirati investment opportunities in Kuwait, they include infrastructure and transport, logistics services, technology and digital transformation.

Sheikh Saad Al Sabah, Director of Corporate and Syndicated Finance at Kuwait Finance House, confirmed that the Emirati economy is characterized by foresight and flexible legislation, noting that continuous investment in infrastructure has strengthened the country’s position as a regional and global financial center, as reported by the WAM agency during the “UAE and Kuwait… Brothers Forever” week.

He highlighted that the UAE is pursuing extensive investments in artificial intelligence, smart cities, and green finance, explaining that Kuwait Finance House is an active partner in this journey, managing and arranging instrument issuances for several Emirati companies.

Non-oil trade between the UAE and Kuwait

The volume of non-oil trade between the UAE and Kuwait in 2025 reached approximately $14.8 billion, with an annual growth rate of 9.1% compared to 2024, according to Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, during the “Emirati-Kuwaiti Economic Forum” on February 2.

In light of rising consumer demand, trade agreements, customs facilitations between the two countries, and the global economic situation, Al-Wassal expects the non-oil trade growth rate in 2026 to range between 10 and 15%.

"Sharjah" real estate attracts Kuwaitis

Moreover, the total investment of Kuwaitis in the real estate sector in the Emirate of Sharjah in 2025 reached approximately 1.49 billion dirhams, with Kuwaiti citizens owning a total of 5,660 properties. That year also witnessed remarkable growth in transaction volume, as the number of properties exchanged by Kuwaitis in Sharjah rose to 868, achieving a growth rate of 51.7% compared to 573 properties in 2024, according to data from the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department.