Regional Trade Agreements
In December 2008, Singapore and the GCC signed a free trade agreement (FTA), the GCC’s first FTA. In June 2009, GCC countries concluded an FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes the countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Customs Union
Kuwait is a member of the GCC along with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Oman. People from these countries can travel freely throughout the GCC. There is a 5% duty for goods at the first point of entry to the GCC and then the goods can travel freely throughout the GCC.
Bilateral Investment Treaties
Kuwait has signed bilateral investment agreements with the following nations (not all have been implemented): Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
Kuwait signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the United States in February 2004. The TIFA is the first step in developing economic reform and trade liberalization criteria to strengthen the U.S.-Kuwait economic relationship. At the first bilateral TIFA Council meeting, held in May 2004 in Washington, D.C., it was agreed that the TIFA process would provide for periodic technical discussions. Several areas in particular stood out as needing further attention: intellectual property rights (IPR), standards-related issues, taxation, and service and investment requirements. Recent discussions between the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry have taken place under the auspices of the TIFA.
Resources
Government of Kuwait: Public Authority for Industry