**“Kuwait: A 38-Billion-Dollar Market on Iran’s Doorstep”**

According to the Public Relations Office of the Iran Trade Promotion Organization, Abdolamir Rabihavi, referring to Kuwait’s commercial potential, announced plans to increase Iran’s share in the country’s market, stating: Within the West Asia Office, the focus on capacity-building and special attention to the Persian Gulf countries has been emphasized, and Kuwait has been prioritized as one of the high-potential markets.

Rabihavi added: Although Kuwait is an oil-producing country, it remains heavily dependent on extensive imports. The country imports approximately 38 billion dollars’ worth of goods annually from around the world, while Iran’s share amounts to only 240 to 250 million dollars. According to the available statistics, in the first six months of this year, Iran’s exports to Kuwait stood at only 107 million dollars, and Iran’s imports from Kuwait totaled 7 million dollars.

The Director General of the West Asia Office of the Iran Trade Promotion Organization stressed that Kuwait’s geographical position constitutes a strategic advantage for Iran. The short maritime distance between Iranian and Kuwaiti ports, along with the existence of a land border via Shalamcheh, significantly reduces transportation costs.

He noted that Kuwait could serve as a regional hub for the re-export of Iranian goods to other markets in the region.

Rabihavi concluded by pointing out that agricultural products, foodstuffs, and construction materials are among Iran’s main export items to Kuwait, while the presence of Iranian technical and engineering service companies represents another area identified as having strong potential.