Pakistan and Kuwait have agreed to further strengthen their bilateral relationship by expanding cooperation in energy, investment, and trade, as Kuwait signaled its intention to increase its investment presence in Pakistan. The understanding was reached during high-level meetings held in Kuwait, reflecting renewed momentum in economic engagement between the two countries.
According to a press release issued on December 18, 2025, the discussions took place during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Kuwait’s Minister of Finance and Renewable Energy, Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem, who also serves as Chairman of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA). Both sides emphasized the long-standing and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Kuwait and expressed a shared commitment to translating political goodwill into deeper economic collaboration.
During the meeting, Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem noted that Kuwait already maintains a substantial investment portfolio in Pakistan across multiple sectors. He expressed Kuwait’s strong interest in further expanding this footprint, particularly through the Kuwait Investment Authority, which manages one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. He stated that KIA is keen to explore new investment opportunities in Pakistan and is willing to engage closely with relevant Pakistani institutions to identify viable projects that align with Kuwait’s long-term investment strategy.
The Pakistani delegation welcomed Kuwait’s continued confidence in Pakistan’s economy, especially at a time when the country is focusing on stabilisation, structural reforms, and attracting foreign direct investment. Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a conducive and predictable investment environment, with particular emphasis on the energy and infrastructure sectors. He highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving governance, transparency, and investor facilitation, noting that these measures are designed to support long-term partnerships rather than short-term inflows.
In a separate engagement, the federal minister met with Riyadh Al Edrissi, Chairman of Meezan Bank Pakistan. During this meeting, the strong performance and growth of Meezan Bank were acknowledged, with the minister observing that successful foreign-backed financial institutions play an important role in reinforcing international investor confidence in Pakistan’s banking and financial sector. He noted that such ventures serve as practical examples of how foreign investment can thrive in Pakistan under a stable regulatory and business framework.
The minister also held discussions with Waleed Shamlan Ahmad, Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development. The talks focused on enhancing development financing and strengthening cooperation on projects aimed at supporting Pakistan’s socio-economic development. Areas of interest included infrastructure development, energy-related initiatives, and projects that contribute to sustainable growth and improved living standards.
Additional meetings were held at the Kuwait Investment Authority, including interactions with its Deputy Managing Director. These engagements centred on identifying new avenues for institutional cooperation and exploring investment opportunities that could further deepen economic ties between Pakistan and Kuwait. Both sides expressed interest in maintaining regular engagement to ensure continuity and progress in ongoing and future initiatives.
During interactions with the Pakistani business community and overseas Pakistanis residing in Kuwait, the federal minister described the diaspora as a valuable national asset. He acknowledged their contribution to Pakistan’s economy through remittances, investments, and their role in strengthening bilateral relations. The overseas community was encouraged to continue acting as a bridge between the two countries by promoting trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
Overall, the series of engagements reflected a shared resolve by Pakistan and Kuwait to elevate their strategic partnership through expanded economic cooperation. With energy, investment, and development financing at the centre of discussions, both countries signaled a clear intention to work together for sustainable growth, mutual prosperity, and long-term economic collaboration.
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