KUWAIT: President Asif Ali Zardari and Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Friday vowed to further strengthen ties between the two countries through enhanced trade cooperation and joint ventures.President Zardari who arrived here this afternoon discussed with Amir Sheikh Sabah the potential of cooperation in diverse fields, for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their people.The two leaders in their talks at the airport discussed whole range of bilateral matters, with particular focus on increased trade and economic cooperation.President Zardari said the signing of bilateral treaty between Pakistan and Kuwait would promote investment in the two countries.He mentioned that the Kuwait-Pakistan Investment Company had the potential to expand commercially feasible joint ventures in upstream and downstream petroleum and gas sectors, agriculture, mines and export of Halal meat to Kuwait.He proposed that Kuwait may encourage the public sector institutions such as Kuwait Fund for AraHe said Pakistan had initiated strategic dialogue with Gulf Cooperation Council and sought Kuwait’s support to enhance relations with GCC.Zardari recalled Kuwait’s assistance in trying hours including their help for Pakistan’s 2005 earthquake victims, the Internally Displaced People of Swat and Malakand and for those hit by the 2010 devastating floods.He proposed quota enhancement for employing skilled and semi skilled manpower from Pakistan and said Pakistan can work on developing a certification system of vocational institutions.The President called for institutionalizing defence cooperation through training, military exchanges and cooperation between the defence industries.
Zardari urged the two countries to closely cooperate at the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Conference and at other international fora.
President Zardari felicitated Sheikh Sabah on Kuwait’s 50th anniversary of independence, its 20th liberation day and the fifth anniversary of his accession as the Amir of Kuwait.The Kuwait’s Amir as a special gesture, had invited President Zardari on his country’s golden jubilee celebrations, by sending his Special Envoy Dr Maatouq Al Maatouq in December last.President Zardari said Pakistan deeply appreciated the visionary leadership of the Sabah family that has led Kuwait to achieve tremendous progress in last 50 years, despite the destruction wrought by invasion and occupation.The President congratulated him for steering Kuwait through difficult times and having rebuilt it to meet the challenges of the current times.The Amir of Kuwait thanked President Zardari for accepting his invitation to join him and his nation in the moment of joy, and expressing a friendly gesture towards the brotherly country.Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah were present from Kuwait side. From Pakistani side, Privatization Minister Syed Naveed Qamar and Ambassador Iftikhar Aziz were also present – APP
