Lesotho offers Kuwait a new partnership: food, investment, energy, and skilled labor
- We possess significant assets and broad opportunities to build a solid partnership with Kuwait
- Water, climate, and agricultural resources enable the production of grains and wheat for export to the Kuwaiti market
- Kuwaiti companies can invest in fuel storage... and we are studying an organized mechanism for exporting livestock and meat
Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Limpho Tao, affirmed that his country looks forward to building a new partnership with Kuwait based on mutual interests, particularly in the fields of food security, agriculture, livestock, investment, energy, and skilled labor. He pointed out that Lesotho possesses significant assets that could make it an important partner for Kuwait in providing food and meat, as well as the potential to supply health and nursing personnel to work in Kuwait.
Tao said in an interview with "Al-Rai," prior to his departure from Kuwait following an official visit, that his country sees broad opportunities for cooperation between the two nations. He noted that the objective of his visit was to revitalize bilateral relations and move them to a new stage that transcends the concept of developmental aid to one of partnership that benefits both sides.
Tao emphasized that food security represents one of the most prominent areas that could form the basis of the partnership between Kuwait and Lesotho. He pointed out that the agricultural potential in his country offers opportunities for Kuwaiti investors to establish large-scale food production projects.
He added that Kuwaiti citizens interested in investing in the agricultural sector can benefit from Lesotho’s climate and abundant water resources to establish projects for food production and export to the Kuwaiti market.
He indicated that opportunities are not limited to the production of grains and vegetables, but also include wheat and various agricultural products, confirming that his country is ready to discuss practical arrangements to develop this type of cooperation.
He clarified that about 70 percent of his country’s land consists of mountainous areas, which provide suitable conditions for animal husbandry, noting the presence of large numbers of livestock that can be utilized commercially.
He affirmed that his country is ready to develop an organized export mechanism by establishing an entity, unit, or company responsible for coordinating with importers in Kuwait and arranging export operations.
He explained that the export of animal products can take various forms, whether through the export of live animals or processed or frozen meat, according to the requirements and agreements reached between the two sides.
Tao issued a direct invitation to Kuwaiti investors to take advantage of the available potential in his country, confirming that the natural and climatic environment offers broad opportunities in agriculture and livestock.
He added that "there is an opportunity for Kuwaiti investors in grains, wheat, agricultural production, and livestock," while noting at the same time that his country possesses potential in the field of clean energy that could serve the Southern African region and African markets.
Regarding the file of labor, Tao revealed a proposal and discussions with the Kuwaiti side to explore the possibility of utilizing skilled and specialized labor from Lesotho, particularly in the health sector.
He said the topic was among the files discussed during his talks with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that both sides explored the possibility of bringing skilled labor from Lesotho to work in Kuwait.
He clarified, "We have a proposal in this regard, and we held discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among the issues we discussed was the possibility of providing skilled and specialized labor from Lesotho to Kuwait, particularly in the health sector."
In response to a question about the possibility of providing nurses and health professionals, he confirmed that his country is ready to do so as soon as the agreement between the two sides is finalized.
He said, “Once the agreement is signed and the Kuwaiti side obtains the necessary guarantees and arrangements, we will be able to provide the required health professionals and personnel.”
Tao emphasized that Lesotho seeks to redefine the nature of its relationship with Kuwait, shifting from aid-based cooperation to an economic and developmental partnership that benefits both sides.
He said, “We want Kuwait to become a development partner, not merely a donor to Lesotho, so that Kuwait also derives benefits from this relationship through investments in projects that serve both countries.”
In this regard, he revealed several projects that could serve as a gateway to the new partnership, including the possibility of Kuwaiti companies establishing a fuel storage facility in Lesotho under a build-operate model.
He clarified that the project could offer an investment opportunity for Kuwaiti companies, whether in establishing or operating the facility, in addition to its role in enhancing fuel supply security in his country.
He added that there are other investment areas that Kuwaiti institutions could explore, stressing that “this is the direction we want: not just aid, but a genuine developmental partnership.”
