Pakistan and Kuwait on Sunday agreed to set up a high-powered special committee, which will meet soon to identify areas of investment and joint ventures in Pakistan by Kuwaiti entrepreneurs. It was agreed during the talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
During the discussions, the two sides discussed the prospects of increased bilateral cooperation in various fields, with particular focus on the expansion of ties in economic, commercial, investment, manpower and energy, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar told APP after the talks. There was unanimity of views on various issues of regional and international importance, as the two sides also exchanged views on the challenges faced by Muslim countries, particularly the situation in Afghanistan, Middle East, fight against terrorists and extremists, and Pakistan’s role for peace and stability of the region.
About the Middle East situation, President Zardari said the use of violence was counterproductive, as was the destruction of material assets, adding it was time that individual and collective capabilities were utilised to bring stability and peace to the region. The president said Pakistan required the support of true friends like Kuwait at the present critical juncture to override the economic challenges, he said.
He asked the Kuwaiti public and private sectors to take advantage of Pakistan’s investment-friendly policies and environment in sectors like agriculture and energy. Zardari said the recruitment of more skilled and semi-skilled Pakistani manpower would help Pakistan overcome unemployment, as he sought easing of visa restrictions to lessen the difficulties for Pakistani businessmen, bankers and other professionals, intending to visit Kuwait.
President Zardari also called for increased defence cooperation through military exchanges as well as the parliamentary cooperation through exchange of visits of parliamentary delegations. The Emir of Kuwait, who was appreciative of Pakistan’s role and support in the liberation of Kuwait, following the Iraqi invasion in 1991, extended his all out support for increased trade and economic cooperation between two countries.
Meanwhile, Zardari told a delegation of Kuwait Chambers of Commerce and Industry that besides an attractive package of tax incentives, Pakistan offered full legal protection to foreign investment.
