By Miyoko Ishigami
TOKYO, April 23 (KUNA) -- Visiting Kuwaiti Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel and Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko agreed on Tuesday to further deepen bilateral relations.
At the outset of their meeting in Tokyo, Seko told Dr. Al-Fadhel that Kuwait has played an important role in Japan's energy security by being its fourth-biggest crude oil supplier, and sought Kuwait's continued stable oil supply to his country.
Seko also expressed gratitude to Kuwait for generous assistance and support after the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. "Generous assistance of 5 million barrels of crude oil from Kuwait has been deeply engraved in Japanese hearts," said Seko.
"At the summit talks in 2016 in Tokyo between H.H. the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed their willingness to enhance comprehensive partnership between the two countries. I hope that Kuwait and Japan will build up economic ties in a broader range of fields through the combined efforts of the government and the private sector," the minister said.
"Business ties between the two countries have deepened through the Japan-Kuwait Businessmen Committee, which has been held annually since 1995, and Japanese firms have maintained great interest in the Kuwaiti market," said Seko, expressing his expectations that Japanese companies will contribute to Kuwait's economic development and diversification of its economies by utilizing their advanced technology and expertise.
Dr. Al-Fadhel also held a series of meetings with Japanese officials, including Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Chairman and CEO Nobuhiko Sasaki and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Governor Tadashi Maeda, which the minister called "very positive talks." Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and Kuwait TV, Dr. Al-Fadhel said that Tuesday's meetings with Seko and other Japanese officials aimed at reinforcing the deep-rooted cooperative relationship between the two countries. The agenda included cooperation in electricity, water and oil sectors, the minister said, while the two sides also voiced hope for increase in their trade volume.
"Japanese companies own advanced technology in such sectors. As announced by H.H. the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait is seeking to ensure that renewable energy covers 15 percent of the country's needs for power by 2030. Therefore, if they will be able to enter the Kuwaiti market, they are expected to contribute to this vision, which is in accordance with the policy of our ministry," the minister said.
Dr. Al-Fadhel also attended a seminar titled "High-Level Seminar on the Electricity and Water in Kuwait," which was organized by JETRO. The meetings and seminar were joined by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Hasan Zaman and high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Electricity and Water. (end) mk.mt