Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kuwait have agreed to enhance economic ties in key areas, particularly in the trade and energy sectors.
The agreement came on Tuesday during a meeting between the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, and the Minister for Finance of Kuwait Mr. Abdul Wahab Al-Rasheed, in UAE.
It is noted that the conference on “Effective Nuclear and Radiation Regulatory Systems: Preparing for the Future in Rapidly Changing Environment,” taking place in Abu Dhabi from February 13 to16 organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It is hosted by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of World Government Summit where Planning Minister is representing Pakistan. Ahsan Iqbal was also accompanied by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Musadik Málik.
During the meeting, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that both countries have a strong relationship, and they have agreed to enhance economic cooperation in areas of interest which include trade and investment, particularly in the energy sector. They also discussed enhancing access to the Kuwaiti market for Pakistani products and labour force.
Bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait
During the meeting, opportunities offered by China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) also came under discussion, particularly Pakistan’s success in turning around the energy sector during the last decade.
Kuwait’s Minister for Finance, Abdul Wahab Al-Rasheed, appreciated the role of Pakistani workers in Kuwait’s development and the strong cultural, religious and economic ties between the nations.
He agreed that there is a lot of room for expanding the economic cooperation between both countries and proposed to follow up meetings to implement the ideas which were discussed during the meeting.
It is hoped that the meeting will help in expanding the ambit of Pak-Kuwait relations by tapping the potential that both markets have presented.
