Emir invites Noy to visit Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines - Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah invited President Aquino to visit his country and expressed interest to invest in Philippine infrastructure projects, particularly airports, during their bilateral talks Friday night, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the two leaders had an extensive discussion on many areas. He said Al-Sabah told Aquino that he was open to the entry of a certain variety of rice from the Philippines in case Manila would become rice-sufficient and ready to export some of its supplies.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President was invited to go to Kuwait for a visit but the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would have to study first when it could take place.

Lacierda said various aspects of the two countries’ bilateral relations were discussed and the Emir gave assurance that his government would be ready to accommodate a presentation on the infrastructure projects of the Philippines, but the more important for them were the airports.

The Emir also thanked the Philippines for its support during the Iraq invasion and the President assured him Manila would be there by Kuwait’s side in times of need, Lacierda said.

He said there would also be discussions on oil projects between Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and his counterpart from Kuwait.

The two leaders said there must also be an increase in trade between the two countries, Lacierda said.

The Emir also expressed his condolences to the victims of typhoons and floods in the country and said they were ready to extend assistance.

Four agreements were signed between the two sides on Friday in Malacañang where a state dinner was hosted in honor of the visiting dignitary. 

The focus of the five-day state visit of the Emir will be on trade and investment.

Aside from infrastructure, there will also be talks on agribusiness, outsourcing, tourism and energy. This year, the Philippines is eyeing $3-billion investments from Kuwait, one of the country’s largest investors.

Kuwait’s global investment plans reportedly include a potential investment of $2 billion in the 177-hectare Logistics Center being constructed at the Clark Export Processing Zone in Pampanga.

One of the world’s richest countries, Kuwait has the fifth largest global oil reserves. It is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and is part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that supports the Philippine government’s peace process in Mindanao.

In the 1990s, the Philippines was among the countries that helped in rebuilding and reconstructing war-torn Kuwait after the Iraq invasion.

Today, Kuwait hosts over 130,000 Filipinos who work as nurses, caregivers, engineers, information technology experts and house helpers.