Ambassador Ulrich Frank and Dr Werner Fasslabend with the Austrian trade delegation.
Ambassador Ulrich Frank and Dr Werner Fasslabend
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Austrian trade delegation in Kuwait to explore new investment opportunities
Delegation chief seeks strategic partnerships aligned with ‘Kuwait Vision 2035’
KUWAIT: A high-level Austrian trade and business delegation arrived in Kuwait on Monday with the aim of revitalizing longstanding bilateral cooperation and fostering new investment opportunities in alignment with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. Led by Dr Werner Fasslabend, President of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce, the delegation highlighted a range of potential investment avenues in Austria – particularly in renewables, healthcare, tourism, and technology – during a reception hosted by Austrian Ambassador to Kuwait Ulrich Frank at his residence.
Dr Fasslabend noted that Kuwait’s Vision 2035 offers unique prospects for businesses in both nations to grow and realize shared objectives. The delegation includes representatives from 22 Austrian companies active in strategic sectors such as healthcare, investment, renewable energy, firefighting technologies, construction, oil and gas, and tourism. Ambassador Frank, praising the robust Austria-Kuwait relationship, expressed confidence that the visit would strengthen the already solid foundation of economic collaboration.
Sheikh Mubarak Abdulla Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Kuwait-Austria Business and Friendship Association (KABFA), attended the reception as the guest of honor. He emphasized Austria’s advancements in infrastructure and technology and stressed the importance of building trust in business relations. “Business is a product of human relationships, and human relationships are built not only on familiarity but also on trust,” Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah said.
Speaking to Kuwait Times on the sidelines of the event, Dr Fasslabend underscored the significance of the visit, stating that the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce is keen on identifying specific opportunities in Kuwait, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. “There are many similarities between Kuwait and Austria – both in size and strategic positioning, as well as in the structure of their business sectors,” he said. “Austria brings added value, especially with its high standards in technology.”
He also lauded Kuwait’s recent strides in technological advancement. “Thirty years ago, few would have predicted the level of progress Kuwait has achieved,” Dr Fasslabend remarked, highlighting the countries’ shared development trajectories. In response to a specific question, he said: “Kuwait’s Vision 2035 is a comprehensive blueprint for national development and presents an excellent opportunity for collaboration. Austria, with its strengths in renewable energy, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure, is well-positioned to partner with Kuwait in realizing this vision.”
Tourism potential
Dr Fasslabend described Austria as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, renowned for its hospitality industry and high-end hotels. “Tourism is a sector where we see great potential for partnership with Kuwait,” he said, noting that over 10,000 Kuwaitis visited Austria in 2024. “The bilateral trade and investment volume between the two countries reached approximately €150 million last year,” he added. “This reflects positive growth in trade relations, and there is ample room to expand our collaboration further. It’s a mutual goal that Kuwait and Austria can strive toward together.”
CAIRO: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah on Monday reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening joint Arab social and developmental efforts to uphold human rights and promote social justice. Delivering her speech at the 82nd session of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, held at the League of Arab States headquarters in Egypt, Dr Al-Huwailah opened by expressing deep sorrow over the tragic death of three Amiri Diwan employees in a traffic accident in Sharm El-Sheikh, offering condolences to the families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
She expressed pride in Kuwait’s participation in the session, which addressed key social and developmental issues, and expressed hope it would yield decisions supporting social justice policies and the empowerment of women, girls, and persons with disabilities, particularly in political participation and gender equality. Dr Al-Huwailah noted that the session would adopt the draft agenda for the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs and prepare for the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled in Doha next November. She emphasized Kuwait’s aspiration for Arab countries to make a strong and active presence at these events, showcasing development achievements and exchanging experiences in social care.
Officials are pictured during the meeting. – KUNA photos
Highlighting Kuwait’s role, she said the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Public Authority for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities are committed to following up on the implementation of Council decisions, ensuring coordination that respects diversity and privacy while promoting social justice.
Dr Al-Huwailah concluded by thanking Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity and Head of the Executive Office Dr Maya Morsi for the warm reception and efficient organization. She also praised Egypt’s efforts in hosting the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and its unwavering support for ending the conflict in Palestine. The Executive Office meetings are chaired by Egypt, with membership including Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, the Comoros, Lebanon and Libya, alongside the participation of the Social Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States, represented by Minister Plenipotentiary Enas Al-Farjani.- KUNA
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