Decision made during meeting between Nawaz and Amir of Kuwait; Nawaz proposes business council for promotion of trade, commerce; says Pakistan an investment-friendly country and an attractive destination for foreign investors; next general polls to be held on schedule
KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait on Tuesday assured Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of removing restrictions on issuing visas for Pakistani nationals that had been in place for the last six years.
The Amir of Kuwait instructed his prime minister to do away with the restrictions, highly placed diplomatic sources told The News. Nawaz Sharif also lauded the decision. He had a detailed meeting with the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the Amiri Diwan (Office of the Amir) at his palace here on the last leg of his official visit to Kuwait.
The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and reiterated to strengthen the bilateral relations. Nawaz emphasized that Pakistan attached highest importance to its relations with Kuwait and desired to further strengthen them by enhancing cooperation in diverse fields.
He apprised Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of his fruitful meetings with the prime minister and speaker of the National Parliament of Kuwait and Kuwaiti businessmen and investors.
Nawaz underlined the need for enhancing economic cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait in industry, agriculture, energy and defence sectors. He urged the Kuwaiti investors to benefit from the immense economic opportunities available in Pakistan.
Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, Chairman BOI Miftah Ismaeel and Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait Ghulam Dastagir were also present during the meeting.
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif met his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in his office at the Bayan Palace and formal talks between the two countries were held.
Nawaz fondly recalled the visit of the Kuwaiti prime minister to Pakistan in November 2013, coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. He stated that more than 114,000 Pakistanis lived in Kuwait which was evidence of strong ties existing between the two countries.
He also confirmed the immense importance that Pakistan attaches to relations with Kuwait. The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan and Kuwait had been economic and trade partners for long and the former wished to further enhance its relations with the latter in all spheres.
The Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) provides the best platform to take stock of bilateral cooperation in various economic sectors and setting new benchmarks to carry this cooperation forward, added the prime minister.
Referring to the level of bilateral trade between the two countries, the prime minister reiterated that this needed tobe further enhanced to its fullest potential. Encouraging greater private sector interaction could enhance the existing level of trade as well as bridge the imbalance in existing trade patterns, stated the prime minister.
Nawaz proposed Pakistan-Kuwait Joint Business Council (JBC) between two apex chambers of commerce to address these issues. He also said there was great potential for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, construction, poultry, livestock and fisheries and to this end meetings of experts of the two countries be held to work out a plan of action.
Nawaz emphasized the importance of early resumption of GCC-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the support of Kuwait and most importantly spoke of the need for lifting of visa restrictions as it would remove a major hurdle to freedom of movement for the business community.
He stressed Pakistan was an investment-friendly country and an attractive destination for foreign investors, due to its liberal investment policy and high rate of return.
There are ample opportunities for investors, with 100% equity or joint ventures in Pakistan. Over 1,000 leading multinational companies are currently successfully operating in various sectors of our economy, added Nawaz.
He said there were a number of energy and infrastructure development projects in Pakistan that could be considered by foreign investors. “We would welcome further investments from Kuwait in mega infrastructure and energy projects being undertaken in Pakistan,” the prime minister said.
Nawaz also met Speaker of Kuwait Parliament Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim at the National Parliament of Kuwait. Expressing solidarity with democracy, Nawaz Sharif visited the National Assembly building at Majlis-e-Ummah.
The Speaker of Kuwaiti Parliament welcomed PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his delegation to the National Parliament of Kuwait and briefed him on the structure and functioning of the Kuwaiti Parliament.
The prime minister said that strengthening and developing fraternal ties between the two countries, through expanding mutual parliamentary visits, would prove mutually beneficial and emphasized the need for activating the role of the two chambers.
Meanwhile, on board his plane while returning home, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that the next general elections in Pakistan would take place according to the schedule and the process on conclusion of electoral reforms is required to be expedited. “I will ask Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, chairman of the electoral reforms committee of parliament, to accelerate the process since it will need sometime for legislation.”
The prime minister said Pakistan sincerely wanted restoration of peace in Afghanistan which was also in our own greater interest. “We want to assist and see Afghanistan as a stable and strong country and work for the betterment of its own people", added the premier.
To a query, he said that the border with Afghanistan would be opened shortly and Pakistan hoped that the Afghan government would check the element which is carrying out terror activities on the soil of Pakistan by using their presence in Afghanistan. The prime minister said that Pakistan had fast achieved prominence in the world affairs due to its sound economic policies that have ensured macroeconomic stability in the country. Pakistan's stock exchange has registered new and unprecedented records of its history during our present term in office. "The world's leading financial institutions have appreciated the economic turnaround in Pakistan", said the prime minister.
The premier said the Pakistani economy was fast improving which was poised to accomplish further successes owing to the huge potential we have. “The recently held successful Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit is a good example of our diplomatic relations with countries of the region and the world. The entire world is acknowledging the reforms agenda of our government, which has yielded very positive results", added the prime minister.
“Pakistan enjoys exceptionally-strong partnerships and relations with Central Asian Republics. The region has huge potential for trade and businesses. We have a future vision to establish roads connectivity and linkages with the central Asian states and beyond. We want peace with all as only peace can guarantee economic stability and prosperity of our people", stressed the prime minister.
To a question, the prime minister expressed the hope that the issue of restrictions on Kuwaiti visas for Pakistani nationals would be removed as he has taken up the matter with the Amir of Kuwait who has issued instructions accordingly.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were also present during the talks.