ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for Kuwait on a two-day official visit on Monday (today).
He will be accompanied by Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Board of Investment Chairman Miftah Ismail.
Nawaz will meet the Kuwaiti leadership for in-depth review of various aspects of the traditionally close and brotherly relations between the two countries. Nawaz will also address gatherings of Kuwaiti investors, as well as members of Pakistani community residing in Kuwait.
Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah will receive Nawaz in Bayan Palace for a detailed meeting on Tuesday. The PM will hold delegation-level talks with Kuwaiti PM Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
Important regional and international issues are expected to come under discussion. Nawaz will also meet Kuwaiti Parliament Speaker Marzouk Al Ghanim.
In the meetings, Nawaz will exchange views with the Kuwaiti side to further expand the existing level of cooperation between the two countries in diverse sectors. These include promotion of bilateral trade and investment and upgrading the well-placed institutionalised cooperation in the fields of petroleum and natural resources, financial sector, defence, export of manpower, health services, industrial sector, and media and information technology etc. Both sides will also review the progress made so far under various existing agreements and memorandums of understanding in various fields.
The PM will also address a group of leading Kuwaiti investors and businessmen. Kuwait is a leading GCC investor in Pakistan. This visit will provide a useful opportunity to highlight the lucrative business environment available in Pakistan to foreign investors in diverse fields. Nawaz will underline the unique role Pakistan can play as a bridge to promote connectivity and economic progress among its neighboring regions, including the GCC countries.
The visit will also prove useful in highlighting the role and exemplary services of over 114,000 Pakistanis who have contributed to various sectors in Kuwait. The community contributes towards progress and prosperity of both Kuwait and Pakistan. Nawaz will address a gathering of Pakistanis residing in Kuwait.
His visit is part of the regular exchanges between the two sides. On his invitation, the Kuwait’s PM had undertaken an official visit to Pakistan in November 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations. He was the first head of government from a GCC country to visit Pakistan, after Nawaz became the PM in May 2013. Pakistan and Kuwait enjoy cordial and brotherly relations. Kuwaitis have always praised Pakistan’s support in the rehabilitation process in 1991 following Iraqi occupation of their country. Pakistan and Kuwait also cooperate extensively in the multilateral forums, including at the UN and OIC. Both sides also have shared perceptions on most international and regional issues.
