LOC19:35
16:35 GMT
Minister of Commerce and Industry Anas Khaled Al-Saleh during his speaking in the Conference "Investment Opportunities in Kuwait "
LONDON, May 8 (KUNA) -- In a push to attract further UK investments, the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry organized here Wednesday, in cooperation
with the UK government, the "Investment Opportunities in Kuwait Conference" to
highlight opportunities and privileges of investment in Kuwait.
"Kuwait is one of the safest places for investments in the world," Minister
of Commerce and Industry Anas Khaled Al-Saleh told KUNA on the sidelines of
the conference. He pointed out that the well-established democratic system in
Kuwait has led to long-term political stability, which is one of the main
requirements for foreign investments.
Moreover, the government and National Assembly are embarking on a package
of legislative reforms to encourage foreign investors to benefit from the
diverse investment opportunities in Kuwait and to have their own businesses
there.
"The Kuwaiti government will forge ahead with all required measures to
boost the national economy," he said. Kuwait needs to support national
entrepreneurs and to encourage international business leaders to have
partnerships with their local peers and to pour investments into the local
market, he added.
"Foreign partnerships and investments will help raise the quality of
products and services provided on the Kuwaiti market as well as create new job
opportunities for national graduates," he said.
Al-Saleh underlined that the government is serious in privatizing several
sectors, including electricity, water and communications.
For his part, Member of the Kuwait Supreme Council for Privatization Dr.
Mohammad Zuhair said that the government is attaching great attention to
privatization plans. "The privatization would help expand the targeted sectors
and provide new job openings," Zuhair told KUNA.
Senior officials from both countries, business people, bankers and lawyers
are participating in the event to discuss business opportunities in the Gulf
state, including the privatization program there.
According to the UK government website, the trade between the UK and Kuwait
was worth GBP1.9 billion in 2012. But they seek to take it up to GBP4 billion
by 2015. (end)
kd.mrn.he.ibi
KUNA 081935 May 13NNNN