KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah's forthcoming visit to Argentina is expected to be marked by a number of joint agreements in several fields, said the Argentinean Ambassador to Kuwait Jorge O. A. Biga. "During the visit both countries will sign several cooperation agreements in the political, scientific, environmental and cultural fields," he said, adding, "Kuwait aims to open new channels to increase investment and trade.The ambassador was speaking on the occasion of the Kuwaiti Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Argentina, which is set to take place in the next few days, as part of his tour of Latin America and the Caribbean. The tour, which aims to further Kuwaiti cooperation with this dynamic region, has already seen HH Sheikh Nasser visiting Brazil, Cuba, Chile, Uruguay, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico and Guyana.
Asked about bilateral relations between Argentina and Kuwait, the ambassador described them as "excellent," noting that the Kuwaiti premier's visit "will bring new possibilities to bolster and reinforce them." Last month, Kuwait received both the Argentinean Minister of Scientific, Technology and Production Innovation and the Governor of Santa Fe.
Ambassador Biga said, "Santa Fe is one of the most important provinces of Argentina, and benefits from a loan granted by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) that allowed the construction of roads in its territory. Both visitors had the chance to meet many of Kuwait's officials. This permitted study to be carried out in different fields where both countries can cooperate and improve their economical and commercial relationship. The visit of His Highness the Prime Minister will make these p
ossibilities real.
Asked about the significance of Brazil as an up and coming nation internationally, in relation to Argentina's plans to catch up as the second largest South American country in size, he said, "Argentina is the second largest nation in South America, and is developing its international policy in integration with the G20 group of countries. Its relative importance and presence in the world will allow high-level discussions on global issues and will see decisions taken in this regard.
The ambassador explained, "In the [South American] region, Argentina along with Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay form the MERCOSUR [Southern Common Market], the most important market in the region. Argentina and Brazil are sister countries with a good and close relationship. The importance of Brazil nowadays will reflect positively on Argentina as a partner.
Asked about the significance of a remark made by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Argentina Saud Al-Roumi, who during a meeting with the governor of the Argentinean province of Salta last month spoke of agricultural and industrial cooperation, Biga said, "The possibilities of cooperation between Salta and Kuwait could be important as the ambassador said.
He continued, "The economy of Salta is based on the agricultural industry through the production of crops such as tobacco, sugar cane, banana, citrus, beans, grape, chili, potatoes, cotton, as well as beef and goat meat on one hand, while on the other it is a rich zone of oil and gas and has unexploited mineral deposits of gold, copper, lead, silver, lithium, tin, borax, potassium and others.
Ambassador Biga went on, "The recent settlements of Argentinean and European enterprises in Salta are orientated to mechanical products, food, textiles, sugar and footwear. These provide a panorama of what Salta can offer and are evidence of how much Kuwait can do to develop new commercial and investment ties.
The ambassador concluded by saying,, "The same scenario, in different fields, can apply to the rest of the provinces of Argentina, as you can realize there are many opportunities for trade and investment that could benefit both sides, Kuwait and Argentina.
Argentina is the second largest country in South America, with a population of 40.13 million according to 2009 figures, with four percent of its population being of Arab and Asian heritage. --- KUNA
Source: http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=ODAyMzQ4OTQ1
