ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday stressed the need for concerted efforts by Pakistan and Kuwait to ensure early implementation of multibillion-dollar bilateral agreements that were signed last year, Pakistani media reported.
The Pakistan prime minister’s comments came during his meeting with Kuwait’s Ambassador Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi in Islamabad. The agreements were signed in November last year during the visit of caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to the Gulf country.
PM Sharif said Pakistan attached great importance to its historic and deep-rooted ties with Kuwait and desired further strengthening of these relations with a focus on trade and investment, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The Prime Minister said seven agreements worth ten billion dollars were signed between the two countries in November last [year] for collaboration in food security, water supply, hydel power, mangrove rehabilitation, technology and mines and minerals sectors,” the report read.
“He emphasized the role of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that provides a robust and efficient mechanism to attract foreign investment into Pakistan.”
Besides these agreements, the two countries had signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in the fields of culture, environment and sustainable development.
Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, also accompanied the caretaker prime minister on the Kuwait visit, which was part of the Pakistani leadership’s ambitious plan to attract investment from the Middle East amid an economic slowdown at home.
In Tuesday’s meeting, PM Sharif thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for the warm wishes and felicitations on his re-election and extended an invitation to the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to visit Pakistan, according to Radio Pakistan.
The Kuwaiti ambassador thanked Pakistan for its support to Kuwait in difficult times and reaffirmed his country’s strong commitment to build closer ties with Pakistan. The prime minister appreciated the ambassador’s contributions in fostering stronger ties between the two countries.
