Uzbekistan says keen to develop relations with Kuwait

Thursday,04 August 2011

By : Jameel W. Karaki Staff Writer KUWAIT: Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Abdalrafiq Hashimov asserted that his country is keen on developing its relationship with Kuwait in various fields, noting that the visit of His Highness the Amir to Taskhent in 2006 was a remarkable event. Hashimov said that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is built on sold foundations as the two people are united by the Islamic religion, civilization, common culture and customs. Hashimov gave this statement to reporters during a press conference held at the embassy in Salwa on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan and the establishment of the independent states Association. He indicated that the visit of Uzbek President Islam Karimov to Kuwait in 2004 provided a new impetus to the development of cooperation between the two countries in various fields, which include signing a number of agreements in the areas of trade, economy, investment and avoiding double taxation and the fight against terrorism as well a memorandum of cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. Hashimov went on to say that Uzbekistan has established economic and trade relations with more than 180 countries , exporting goods to 170 countries, with total foreign trade reaching $ 21.8 billion last year, causing the trade surplus to soar by more than 53 times. The ambassador pointed out that his country's is keen to attract investors, where the political leadership pays special attention to provide appropriate conditions, policies and incentives to attract foreign investment, through exempting companies operating in some areas from fees and taxes. Foreign investments now accounts for about 83 and 85 percent of the total investments, he added. Speaking of the parliamentary relations between the two countries, he indicated that these relations played a major role in the development of political cooperation and strengthening the bonds of friendship.