KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait and Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed on Wednesday several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to bolster cooperation in various fields. This came after the meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar. Prior to the signings of agreements, Sheikh Talal Khaled and Prime Minister Kakar held a meeting reviewing all possible venues to boost ties between Kuwait and Pakistan.

The two officials also touched on issues pertaining to region and the world, expressing desire to coordinate efforts to achieve global peace and security.

Following the meeting, the two officials oversaw the signing of several agreements and MoUs focusing on the fields of environmental protection, sustainable development, as well as cultural and technical cooperation. An MoU between the foreign ministries of both countries was also signed to expand cooperation, coordination and dialogue.

First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (right) receives Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday. --KUNA

First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (right) with Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar Ul Haq Kakar

Kuwait and Islamic Republic of Pakistan sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the foreign ministries of both countries on Wednesday. -- KUNA

The Pakistani prime minister also met with Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Minister of State of Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Aiban, the Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, the Acting Minister of Public Works and the Head of the honorary mission Dr Jassim Al-Ostad, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Faleh Al-Rogbah, Finance Minister Fahad Al-Jarallah, Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and ambassador of Kuwait to Pakistan Nassar Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi. Upon arrival, the Pakistan premier was received at Kuwait International Airport by Dr Jassim Al-Ostad, senior state officials, and the ambassadors of the two countries.

Prime Minister Kakar said, during an interview with KUNA, that the Kuwaiti leadership showed keen interest to develop and further strengthen the relationship between Kuwait and Pakistan. Kakar added that both countries needed to be more engaged, stating, “We are taking up this opportunity to develop this relation with the Kuwaiti people and government. There are many areas we can expand ties, ranging from agriculture, food security, IT to defense and mining. There are many areas where mutual interest can converge,” he said.

On the current agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs), Kakar said, “There were more than a dozen MoUs in different sectors from IT to agriculture to water interventions. We are expecting that they are not the last ones. It is just the beginning of a new era.”

On economic relations, he said when it comes to demography, Kuwait is a small nation, but holds an utmost important role in the region and global affairs. “And a huge transformation is taking place currently to modernize Kuwaiti economy and diversifying its investment portfolios,” he said. “The region is opening up and the region is awakening and I feel Kuwait has got a pivotal leadership role to play in that,” he pointed out. Prime Minister Kakar’s visit to Kuwait coincided with the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. – KUNA