By NNN-PNA,
Manila : The Philippines and oil-rich Kuwait sealed Friday night three agreements to further enhance their bilateral and trade relations, and bolster cooperation in the area of investments.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah witnessed the signing of the agreements in Malacañang last night.
The agreements were on joint undertaking in energy projects, strengthening of health related services, and enhanced tourism investments and exchanges between the two countries.
The cooperation on health accord was signed by Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde for the Philippines, and Kuwait Undersecretary of Ministry Affairs Khaled Sulaiman Alijarrallah, for Kuwait.
Under the agreement, the two countries would share information and expertise to improve the quality of health and health-related services in both countries.
The agreement on the joint undertaking of oil and gas projects was signed by Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes on behalf of the Philippines and Finance Minister Mustafa Jassim Alshamali, for Kuwait.
Under the agreement, the Philippines and Kuwait will endeavor to conduct joint projects, enhance training of technical personnel, and foster private sector cooperation agreements.
Reyes said details of the joint projects on oil and gas, including possible exploration, would be discussed later.
The agreement on tourism cooperation was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Finance Minister Mustafa.
The accord enjoins the two countries to work toward increasing tourism exchanges and tourism investments while protecting the environment and preserving cultural heritage and traditions.
During the expanded bilateral meeting between President Arroyo and the Prime Minister, the latter expressed his desire to further boost commercial relations and investment cooperation between the Philippines and Kuwait.
“We are extending both hands to cooperate with you,” Prime Minister Nasser said, as he cited the contributions of Filipino workers to Kuwait’s development.
Prime Minister Nasser is the most senior Kuwaiti official to visit the Philippines.
Kuwait ranked as the Philippines’ 45th trade partner in 2007, 42nd among its export markets and 41st among its import sources.
The Kuwaiti leader said his country is prepared to enter into more agreements and increase investments in the Philippines, especially in the agriculture sector.
“We can reach a future understanding of investment in the agriculture sector since we are prepared to finance agricultural projects,” he said.
In her reply, President Arroyo explained that her administration has launched a program to develop one million hectares for agribusiness projects.
The Kuwaiti Prime Minister also batted for an open skies agreement between the Philippines and his country, but the President said the proposal would have to be carefully studied to ensure that the interests of Filipino airline companies are protected.
She pointed out that Filipino airline operators have already lost the Middle East market to Middle East airlines, and they fear losing the American airlines market as well if the government enters into an open skies agreement with Kuwait.
The Kuwaiti Prime Minister also pushed for more student exchanges between the two countries with “no restrictions.”
He said Kuwait is ready to accept “even a million” more Filipino workers to help his country implement US$ 50 billion worth of development projects over the next 15 years.
“We welcome you to Kuwait to be your second home. We have so many projects now on board. We ask our brothers in the Philippines to help us — nurses, doctors, engineers, in all fields. This is what we are offering, no quota on Filipino workers going to Kuwait,” he said.
He said Kuwait is building a railway, container port, an entertainment city, five new cities, bridges and a host of other development projects.
The President said Kuwait hosts the third largest Filipino community in the Middle East – about 130,000.
The Kuwaiti official said the private sector/business community in his country is very active in undertaking development projects and is willing to help the Philippines build more schools, bridges hospitals and other infrastructure facilities vital to economic progress.
In her statement before the state dinner, the President expressed elation over Kuwait’s offer to cooperate in the development of the Philippine economic sectors.
“We welcome Kuwait‘s interest and trust in our economy,” the President said.