Kuwait and Italy, on October 27, 2023, in the presence of Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, and Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, signed two memorandums of understanding and a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation in direct investment, defense, and industrial development.
Investment and Defense Agreements
The first memorandum of understanding pertains to cooperation in promoting direct investment between the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and the Italian Trade Agency. This agreement was signed on behalf of Kuwait by Sheikh Dr. Mishal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and on behalf of the Italian agency by Matteo Zuppas. Additionally, a letter of intent was signed between the Ministry of Defense of Kuwait and Leonardo Italy for the development of defense capabilities and industrial cooperation. In this ceremony, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Mishal Mubarak Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah represented Kuwait, and Lorenzo Mariani attended as the CEO of Leonardo.
Read more: Limited Impact of Houthi Attacks on the Saudi Economy
Military and Security Cooperation
The second memorandum of understanding relates to military cooperation in advisory services and training between the Kuwait National Guard and the Carabinieri of Italy, which operates under the Italian Ministry of Defense. This memorandum was signed by Lieutenant General Hamad Salem Al-Barjas, Deputy of the Kuwait National Guard, and Lorenzo Morini, the Italian Ambassador to Kuwait.
Previously, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, hosted Meloni and her delegation at the Bayan Palace. During this meeting, the parties reviewed the long-standing relations between Kuwait and Italy and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic and defense fields. They also exchanged views on common concerns and the latest regional and international developments.
In this meeting, many high-ranking Kuwaiti officials were present, including Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs; Sheikh Jeraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Sheikh Saud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, CEO of the Kuwait Investment Authority.
At the end of the day, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah held a dinner in honor of Meloni and her delegation. Meloni and her delegation left Kuwait on Friday evening and were bid farewell at the airport by the Prime Minister and other high-ranking Kuwaiti officials.
Read more: Kuwait: Suspension of 10,000 Company Files Due to Non-Payment of Salaries · Condemnation of Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia by Arab Countries
