Emir's Representative: Strengthening Economic, Trade, and Investment Ties Between Kuwait and the United States

- Crown Prince discusses with the World Bank the development of competencies and with the US Chamber of Commerce investment opportunities

- Discusses with “Alphabet and Google” and “Microsoft” projects on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and data centers

In a series of meetings focused on digital transformation, investment, and development, His Highness the Deputy Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, received on behalf of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, today, a number of executives from global companies and economic institutions. The meetings took place at the permanent mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations in New York City, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the eighty-first session of the UN General Assembly.

His Highness the Deputy Amir, on behalf of the Amir, received Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google. The parties reviewed the latest developments in the framework agreement between the Government of the State of Kuwait and Google Cloud, as well as the implementation of strategic projects related to digital transformation, cloud computing infrastructure, data centers, and the development of digital skills among Kuwaiti national cadres.

The meeting also discussed prospects for joint cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the global Alphabet company, contributing to supporting the State of Kuwait’s vision.

His Highness the Crown Prince also received Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, and Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of the Group. The latest developments regarding the training and development of national cadres’ skills were reviewed, along with leveraging the World Bank’s expertise to provide technical support in service of Kuwait’s Vision 2035 objectives.

The meeting also explored ways to enhance cooperation in developmental and advisory fields, exchanged views on regional and international economic and developmental issues, and discussed efforts to finance sustainable development.

In another meeting, His Highness the Crown Prince received a delegation from representatives of the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Kuwait Business Council. The delegation included Koushik Choksi, Senior Vice President for the Middle East, Turkey, and Central Asia, and Senior Vice President for International Member Engagement at the US Chamber of Commerce; Steve Lutes, Vice President for the Middle East at the Chamber; Lydia Jobs, Chief Executive Officer of the US-Kuwait Business Council at the Chamber; Donna Milford, Executive Vice President at State Street and Chair of the US-Kuwait Business Council; and Jenny Johnson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton Investments.

His Highness the Crown Prince emphasized during the meeting the importance of the role played by members of the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Kuwait Business Council in supporting and strengthening economic, commercial, and investment ties between the State of Kuwait and the United States of America.

The meeting discussed ways to consolidate economic, commercial, and investment relations between the two countries, and reviewed investment opportunities in the State of Kuwait for leading US companies and institutions across various vital sectors.

His Highness the Crown Prince also received Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. The latest developments in the strategic agreement between the State of Kuwait and the company were reviewed, with a focus on preparations for the opening of Microsoft’s largest digital innovation center in the region in Kuwait in the coming weeks.

The meeting addressed opportunities to enhance joint cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and data centers, contributing to accelerating the pace of technological transformation in the State of Kuwait, developing the modern technology ecosystem, and building national competencies and capabilities in accordance with the highest global standards.

Sheikh Jaraah Al-Jaber, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Dr. Meshal Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad, Director General of the Direct Investment Promotion Authority; Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi; Ambassador Sadiq Al-Maqrabi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Organizations; Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States; and Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, attended the meeting with Ruth Boraat.

The meeting with the President of the World Bank Group was also attended by Sheikh Jaraah Al-Jaber, Sheikh Dr. Meshal Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi, Ambassador Sadiq Al-Maqrabi, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, and Major General Ahmed Al-Duaiji, Director of the Crown Prince’s Office.

The meeting with the delegation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-Kuwait Business Council was attended by Sheikh Dr. Meshal Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, and Major General Ahmed Al-Duaiji.

The meeting with Brad Smith was also attended by Sheikh Jaraah Al-Jaber, Sheikh Dr. Meshal Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, and Major General Ahmed Al-Duaiji.