By NNN-KUNA,
Manila : His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah concluded on Saturday his official visit to the Philippines and the last leg of his eight-stop Asian tour.
The tour also saw him in Brunei, Japan, South Korean, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
While in the Philippines, His Highness Sheikh Nasser met with the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, delivering to her a letter from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait.
He then held talks with Macapagal-Arroyo in her capacity as Prime Minister, and the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in all fields, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern, His Highness Sheikh Nasser was bid farewell at the airport by the minister heading the accompanying delegation of honor, Kuwaiti Ambassador in Manila Bader Al-Houti and embassy staff.
At the conclusion of the visit, a joint communique was issued, stating that upon the kind invitation of President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and within the frame of friendship and cooperation between Kuwait and the Philippines, His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait paid an official visit to the Philippines from August 14-16, heading a high level delegation.
It said the Philippines gave special importance to the visit of His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait, emphasizing that it represented a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, formal discussions were held between the two countries, in which His Highness Sheikh Nasser presided over the Kuwaiti side, and Macapagal-Arroyo presided over the Philippine side.
The two sides reviewed all aspects of Philippine-Kuwait bilateral relations, expressing their satisfaction with the state of those relations, and affirmed their determination to further develop them for the mutual benefit and prosperity of both friendly peoples and nations.
With respect to the development and growth of economic relations, the two countries agreed to open new horizons for cooperation between them that would increase investments and promote commercial exchange.
They discussed ways to promote cooperation in all fields, especially economic ones, noting that it is in their common interest to establish multi-leveled relations.
The importance of cooperation in the development of the gas and oil sector was underscored.
Kuwait presented its vision concerning the acceleration of the development process in light of the active economic movement in the region, which presents an opportunity for friends to work and participate in developmental activities.
Kuwait has developed rules and regulations that would give advantages to foreign investment, and has amended its taxation laws to greatly assist the participation of foreign investors.
The Philippines acknowledged the important role played by foreign investment and invited Kuwaiti investors to consider specific investment opportunities in the Philippines.
The Philippines expressed its appreciation for the kind assistance extended by Kuwait over the years. It welcomed the interest of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in revitalizing its engagement with the Philippines.
It also welcomed Kuwait’s prospective participation in the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development, to be held in Manila in October 2008.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the Philippines-Kuwait MOU on Labor and Manpower Development.
The issue of Filipino workers in Kuwait was also discussed. In this regard, the Philippines expressed its appreciation to the government of Kuwait for looking into specific cases of Filipino workers.
On international affairs, the two sides shared the view that the stability of the world oil market is vital for the sustained growth of the world economy. In this regard, the significant efforts of Kuwait to assure continued oil supplies were appreciated.
The two sides also exchanged views on current international political issues of interest to their countries.
The discussions took place in a cordial, constructive and cooperative spirit, reflective of the close ties binding the two friendly nations. Both sides stressed the importance of continuing such meetings.
The Prime Minister of Kuwait and the President of the Philippines welcomed the conclusion of bilateral agreements on oil and gas, tourism and health, and expressed their resolve to consider entering, at the earliest possible time, agreements on taxation and on transfer of sentenced persons.
His Highness Sheikh Nasser expressed his appreciation for the hospitality and warm reception accorded to him and his delegation, and conveyed a formal invitation of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, to the President of the Philippines, to visit Kuwait.