Anchor sector
Oilfield services & equipment
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's capacity program keeps demand high for drilling technology, maintenance services and safety systems.
Country Profile — Arab-America International Expo 2027
Profile content in preparationState of Kuwait
Sovereign wealth, open markets.
One of the world's wealthiest nations per capita, with deep sovereign reserves and a long-standing commercial relationship with the United States.
Country at a glance
- GDP
- ≈ $162 billion (nominal)
- Population
- ≈ 4.9 million
- Currency
- Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
- Capital
- Kuwait City
- Economic growth
- Contraction on OPEC+ oil cuts; non-oil sector growing
Statistics year: 2024 (latest full-year data)
Overview
A small market with outsized purchasing power
Kuwait sits at the head of the Arabian Gulf with some of the largest proven oil reserves on earth and one of the oldest sovereign wealth funds in the world.
Its private sector is dominated by long-established family trading houses that hold exclusive distribution rights for international brands — the natural first partner for an American exporter.
Kuwait is also one of the most open consumer markets in the Gulf, with high per-capita spending on food, retail, healthcare, automotive and technology.
- Capital
- Kuwait City
- Population
- ~4.9 million
- Language
- Arabic (English widely used in business)
- Currency
- Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) — world's highest-valued currency
- Time zone
- GMT +3
- Membership
- GCC, OPEC, WTO, Arab League
Economy
Reserves, resilience and rising non-oil demand
Kuwait combines vast sovereign assets with a young population and a government program to widen the private sector's share of the economy.
$0B+
GDP (nominal)
High-income Gulf economy
$0B+
Sovereign fund assets (KIA)
One of the oldest SWFs
0B bbl
Proven oil reserves
Among the largest globally
0%
Urban population
Concentrated, easy to reach
Energy & petrochemicalsKPC and downstream expansion
Consumer retail & foodHigh per-capita spending
Construction & infrastructureHousing, roads, utilities
HealthcarePublic and private hospital buildout
Banking & financeDeep, well-capitalized sector
Technology & digitalE-government and fintech
Priority sectors
Where Kuwaiti buyers are looking
Sectors where Kuwaiti distributors, contractors and public buyers actively source American products and services.
Consumer
Food & beverage
One of the region's highest per-capita food import markets, dominated by American brands and franchises.
Growing
Healthcare & medical devices
Government-funded hospital expansion and a growing private sector importing devices, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals.
Infrastructure
Construction materials
Housing programs and infrastructure projects driving demand for specialty materials and building systems.
Strategic
Defense & security
A long-standing US defense relationship spanning equipment, training and cybersecurity.
Franchise
Retail franchising
American franchise concepts have some of their strongest per-store performance anywhere in Kuwait.
New Kuwait 2035
A plan to become a regional financial and trade hub
New Kuwait 2035 targets private-sector-led growth, world-class infrastructure and a diversified, sustainable economy.
- 2010
Vision launched
Kuwait sets the long-term goal of becoming a regional financial and commercial center.
- 2019
Mubarak Al Kabeer Port
Phase one of the Silk City gateway port completed on Bubiyan Island.
- 2024
Al-Zour refinery online
One of the largest refineries in the Middle East reaches full capacity.
- 2035
Silk City target
A planned new city and northern economic zone connecting Gulf and Asian trade routes.
Major development projects
Projects shaping the next decade
Public investment programs opening procurement opportunities for international suppliers.
Silk City (Madinat Al Hareer)
A planned northern city and free-trade zone designed to link Gulf commerce with Asian trade corridors.
Mubarak Al Kabeer Port
A deep-water container port on Bubiyan Island positioned to serve Iraq and northern Gulf trade.
Al-Zour refinery complex
615,000 barrels-per-day refinery, one of the largest single-site facilities in the region.
South Saad Al Abdullah smart city
A sustainable residential city developed with Korean partners, with digital infrastructure at its core.
US – Kuwait trade
A durable American trading relationship
The United States is consistently one of Kuwait's top suppliers, with strong positions in vehicles, machinery and consumer goods.
Top exports to the world
Crude oil & refined productsDominant export
Petrochemicals & fertilizers
Re-exports & other
Top imports
Machinery & equipment
Vehicles & parts
Food & agricultural products
Pharmaceuticals & devices
Leading products to the United States
- Crude oil
- Refined petroleum
- Petrochemicals
- Fertilizers
Leading products from the United States
- Vehicles and parts
- Aircraft and defense systems
- Machinery
- Processed foods
- Medical devices
- American consumer brands enjoy exceptional recognition and loyalty
- Family trading groups can take a new product to national distribution quickly
- Government tenders are open to international bidders with a local partner
Bilateral goods trade — 2024
Trade with the United States
Verified full-year bilateral merchandise trade between Kuwait and the United States, reported from Kuwait's perspective.
Total U.S. goods trade
$4.0B
2024
Exports to the United States
$1.4B
2024
Imports from the United States
$2.6B
2024
Trade balance
$1.2B
Deficit for Kuwait
2024
Exports vs. imports — 2024
Kuwait exports to the United States$1.4B
Kuwait imports from the United States$2.6B
Exports to the US Imports from the US
Kuwait imports roughly twice as much from the United States as it ships back, with American vehicles, machinery and aviation equipment leading. Refinery and petrochemical expansion keeps Kuwait a steady buyer of US capital equipment and services.
Scope of these figures
These figures represent merchandise trade only and do not include services.
Data source
- U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division — country trade data (full year 2024)
- Office of the United States Trade Representative — country trade fact sheets
Statistical year: 2024
Leading exports to the United States
- Crude and refined petroleum
- Organic chemicals
- Fertilizers
- Plastics and polymers
- Aluminium products
Leading imports from the United States
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Aircraft and parts
- Industrial machinery
- Electrical and electronic equipment
- Medical instruments
- Agricultural and food products
Culture & tourism
Culture, coast and commerce
A compact country whose culture is anchored in the sea, trade and hospitality.
Kuwait City
Kuwait Towers
The national landmark on the Gulf waterfront and a symbol of modern Kuwait.
Kuwait City
Souq Al-Mubarakiya
The historic market at the heart of the capital's trading tradition.
Gulf
Failaka Island
An archaeological island with Bronze Age and Hellenistic sites.
Why invest
Why American companies choose Kuwait
A wealthy, concentrated market where the right local partner delivers national reach immediately.
01
Purchasing power
Among the highest GDP-per-capita markets in the world with a strong preference for premium American goods.
02
Foreign investment law
KDIPA offers up to 100% foreign ownership, tax incentives and licensing support in approved sectors.
03
Currency stability
The dinar is pegged to a currency basket and is the highest-valued currency in the world.
04
US relationship
Deep defense, education and commercial ties spanning decades.
At the Expo
Kuwait at AAIX 2027
The Kuwait pavilion connects American exporters directly with the trading houses that control national distribution.
- Meetings with Kuwaiti family trading groups and distributors
- Public-sector procurement briefings
- Franchise and retail partnership matchmaking
- Energy and infrastructure supplier introductions
Business opportunities
Opportunities for Arab and American companies
How companies from different markets can engage with Kuwait through the Expo.
For American companies
Appoint a Kuwaiti trading house for national distribution, or bid on public tenders in power, water and healthcare.
For Arab companies
Retail, franchise and contracting partnerships in a very high-income market.
For international investors
KDIPA-licensed ventures with full foreign ownership and tax incentives in approved sectors.
Represent Kuwait at Arab-America International Expo 2027
Present your country's economy, industries, products, investment opportunities, tourism destinations and culture to the American and North American markets.
Reserve space in the Kuwaiti pavilion, or register as an American supplier to meet Kuwaiti buyers and distributors.
Sources & data
- Kuwait Central Statistical Bureau
- KDIPA
- Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
- World Bank & IMF country data
- U.S. Census Bureau / USTR trade statistics
- UN Comtrade
Last updated: August 2026