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KJA: 'Collaboration' future theme of Kuwait's Mubarak Al-Kabir, Basra's Faw ports

Trustee of Kuwaiti Journalists' Association (KJA) Adnan Al-Rashid
Trustee of Kuwaiti Journalists' Association (KJA) Adnan Al-Rashid

By Alaa Al-Huwaijil

BASRA, April 5 (KUNA) -- Collaboration and not competition should be the theme branding the rapport between Kuwait's Mubarak Al-Kabir Port and Basra's Faw grand port, said a Kuwaiti journalist Thursday.
Many discrepancies arose around this issue in the past by both parties, yet the idea of collaboration is one of many hopeful visions tabled by the Kuwaiti media delegation, noted Adnan Al-Rashid, Trustee of Kuwaiti Journalists' Association (KJA). His statements to KUNA came as part of a number of ideas by Kuwaiti journalists currently visiting southern Iraq, namely Basra and Dhi Qar governorates.
"Uncertainty is ought to be replaced with cooperation, which could extend even further should the Kuwaiti private sector be provided with the opportunity to invest in port management for other hubs in Basra, which would have a positive impact on bilateral relations," Al-Rashid, who is also coordinator of the visit, pointed out.
The delegation arrived last Sunday for talks with local officials and visit archeological sites in Dhi Qar. It includes, in addition to Al-Rashid, KUNA Deputy Director General for Editorial Affairs and Editor-in-Chief Saad Al-Ali, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Anbaa Newspaper Youssef Al-Marzouq, Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait Times Abdurrahman Al-Ulayyan, Media Advisor at His Highness the Prime Minister's Diwan Hassan Al-Sayegh, among others.
Another proposal by the delegation was the establishment of a railroad between Kuwait and Basra; a project of multiple benefits for both sides in addition to other Gulf States, be it commercial or related to conventional or religious tourism, he said.
Organizing trips and exchanging visits for college and school students from both countries is another idea that would immensely contribute in buttressing social and cultural bonding between Kuwaiti and Iraqi peoples, as well as helping to create a "collective memory" of good and neighborly relations for generations to come, Al-Rashid noted, pointing out that "this particular visit came upon the wish of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah." On his part, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Anbaa Newspaper Youssef Al-Marzouq said that despite the "difficulty" of achieving some of these proposals on ground, both parties could achieve more on popular and private sector levels, especially that Iraq is an investment-attracting destination.
Meanwhile, Media Advisor at His Highness the Prime Minister's Diwan Hassan Al-Sayegh said that the Kuwaiti delegation suggested; during a meeting with Basra local government officials, to work on rehabilitating Safwan border crossing and turning it into a vital economic link between cities in Iraq and the Gulf, which would boost trade volume both ways. (end) ahh.hb