PM Sharif urges Kuwait to lift visa restrictions on Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Concluding his official two-day visit to Kuwait, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called for the need for lifting visa restrictions  on citizens to Pakistan as it would remove a major hurdle in freedom of movement for the business community.

The prime minister during a meeting with his counterpart Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al-Hamad at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City pointed out that both countries have been economic and trade partners since a long time and Pakistan wished to further enhance its relations with Kuwait in all spheres.

Referring to the level of bilateral trade between the two countries, the prime minister reiterated that this needed to be further enhanced to its fullest potential. He proposed establishment of a Pakistan-Kuwait Joint Business Council for promotion of trade relations between the two countries.

He noted the Joint Ministerial Commission provides the best platform to take stock of bilateral cooperation in various economic sectors.  He said that encouraging greater private sector interaction could enhance trade and bridge the imbalance in existing trade patterns carrying the cooperation forward.

PM Sharif said that there are over 114,000 Pakistanis living in Kuwait which was evidence of the strong ties existing between the two countries. It also reaffirms the immense importance that Pakistan attaches to relations with Kuwait.

He also emphasised the importance of early resumption of GCC- Pakistan Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the support of Kuwait.

He stressed that Pakistan was an investment friendly country and an attractive destination for foreign investors with ample opportunity and one hundred percent equity or joint ventures. “Over one thousand leading multinational companies are currently successfully operating in various sectors of our economy,” he said.

PM Sharif also said there were a number of energy and infrastructure development projects in Pakistan that could be considered by foreign investors, and Pakistan would welcome investments from Kuwait in these sectors.

Earlier, Nawaz Sharif was accorded a warm welcome upon arrival at the Bayan Palace with Guard of Honour. He also met with Speaker of Kuwaiti Parliament Marzouq Al-Ghanim.

PM Sharif emphasised the need for greater parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and Kuwait which will enhance relations between the two countries. Speaker Marzouq briefed him about the proceeding of Kuwaiti Parliament.