KUWAIT: Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations are deep-rooted and historic, said Farwaniya governor Sheikh Faisal Al-Humoud Al-Sabah on Thursday. In a meeting with visiting Iraqi MP Shaalan Abdul-Jabbar Al-Karim, the governor stressed the wisdom of not ruffling up the past between the two countries especially now when the whole region is experiencing threats of terrorism and destabilization, requiring everyone to work together hand-in-hand for the security of the region.

He said Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations had been improving firmly due to the visits made by officials to each other's country in recent times. The Iraqi MP emphasized the good ties between both countries and thanked the governor for his great hospitality.

Investments

Separately, the Kurdistan Board of Investment said yesterday that Iraq's Kurdistan is eager to increase the number of Kuwaiti investments in the region. This statement came during a meeting between members of the board of investment and Kuwaiti General Consul to the region Dr Omar Al-Kanderi. Kanderi told KUNA that his meeting with the Board's Director General Dr Mukhles Murad and members focused on means to boost investment cooperation between Kuwait and the Kurdistan region.

The close proximity of Kuwait to Kurdistan made it paramount to increase investments in the region, said Kanderi who indicated that there are already a number of Kuwaiti investors operating in Iraq's Kurdistan. In 2006, the regional parliament approved the investment law facilitating business for local and foreign investors.

According to recent statistics by the board foreign investments in the region had reached around $22 billion since the investment law was approved until last year. The last statistics regarding Kuwaiti investments showed that the Gulf country had around $1 billion worth of investments in the region. - KUNA