Here’s a question worth asking: when two of the Gulf’s wealthiest nations decide to formalize their business relationship, what does that really signal?
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait just launched their first-ever joint private business council — and honestly, it’s about time. The announcement came after the inaugural meeting of the new body in the Kingdom over the weekend, with chambers of commerce from both countries putting pen to paper on what could become a turning point for cross-border investment.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Let’s talk figures. Two-way trade between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait stood at around $2.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, according to the Federation of Saudi Chambers. That sounds impressive until you dig deeper — Saudi exports to Kuwait accounted for roughly $2.1 billion of that total, while Kuwaiti exports back amounted to just $400 million.
The trade volume is healthy, sure. But investment? That’s been the missing piece. And it’s precisely the gap this new council aims to close.
What the Council Actually Does
Salman Al-Aqeel, the council’s newly appointed chairman and head of Saudi’s Hafar Al-Batin chamber, didn’t mince words. He called the formation “a pivotal moment in economic relations” between the two countries — and he’s not exaggerating.
The council’s mandate is clear: empower business sectors in both nations to capitalize on investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral ties. Think of it as a dedicated bridge between Saudi and Kuwaiti entrepreneurs, removing the friction that’s kept investment flows disproportionately low despite strong trade.
Vision 2030 Opens the Door
Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef used the occasion to pitch the Kingdom’s industrial ambitions directly to Kuwaiti investors at a forum in Kuwait City. His message was pointed: Saudi Arabia is concentrating on developing 12 key industries — metals, automotive, aviation, and more — under Vision 2030.
That’s not just talk. In 2025, Saudi Arabia actively invited Kuwaiti companies to invest in its booming mining sector, pointing to incentives and high growth rates. The Kingdom’s mineral wealth is one of the most underexplored opportunities in the region, and Riyadh clearly wants its Gulf neighbors in on the action.
The Bigger Picture
Both countries already share something significant beyond trade: the oil-rich neutral zone straddling their border. Saudi Aramco and Kuwait Gulf Oil jointly operate fields there, and in late 2024, the two state companies devised plans to boost crude production in the zone’s two main oilfields.
But this new business council signals something beyond hydrocarbons. It’s about diversification, manufacturing, and building economic resilience. Saudi Arabia, as the largest Arab economy, is positioning itself as a magnet for regional capital — and this council is one more tool in that strategy.
The question now isn’t whether the council will work. It’s how fast both sides can turn intentions into investments.
