The Embassy of the State of Kuwait

1/26/2012
H.E. Ambassador received courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Takuya Tasso, Pefectual Governor of Iwate

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Al-Otaibi received courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Takuya Tasso, Prefectual Governor of Iwate, who expressed his deep gratitude to His Excellency and all the efforts made for assistance for the reconstruction of the severely damaged regions, and to the Kuwait government and people for their support and consideration.

H.E. Governor Tasso re-emphasized that the allocated share of the assistance money will be used in various projects for reconstruction, and this Kuwaiti donation will become the first and great step to build friendship between Iwate Prefecture and Kuwait, as well as become an example of the prefectural declaration of “open reconstruction to the world.”The Governor also explained considering to use this donation to rebuild the severely damaged Sanriku Railway railroads and train station buildings, and to purchase new trains. In order to make visible that the money came from the State of Kuwait, the Governor expressed his plan to set up some kind of monument, expressing that the infrastructure was build by the assistance of funds from the State of Kuwait and it people.

In return, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Al-Otaibi, expressed his appreciation for the courtesy call and gratitude made the H.E. the governor and emphasized that the State of Kuwait felt it a duty to assist Japan, whom Kuwait regards as true friend, due to the generous assistance given by Japan to Kuwait, during and after the Iraqi invasion. Ambassador Al-Otaibi agreed to continue support and cooperation for the progress of reconstruction, and exchanged fruitful proposals and ideas on the future mutual exchange between Iwate Prefecture and the State of Kuwait.

Present were:
*H.E. Mr. Takuya Tasso, Prefectural Governor of Iwate,
*Mr. Takuji Miya, Executive Director, General Afairs Division Bureau of Reconstruction
*Mr. Takeo Suzuki, Director, Iwate Prefectual Government, Tokyo Office
*Mr. Ayumi Ueno, Secretary to the Governor

1/24/2012
H.E. Ambassador meets H.E. Mr. Yoshikatsu Nakayama (Member of House of Representatives) and Mr. Toshio Yamaguchi

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Yoshikatsu Nakayama (Member of HR and Chairman of Japan-Kuwait Parliamentarian Friendly League) and Mr. Toshio Yamaguchi, (General Manger, “New Japan Integrated Strategy Research Center”), to have discussions regarding the humanitarian financial assistance given by the Kuwaiti government to the devastated prefectures from the East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear plant disaster.

In the meeting, Mr. Yamaguchi expressed his respect and appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaibi, on his contribution and task to promoting assistance and friendship between Kuwait and Japan and offered various ideas for future projects. All three parties exchanged fruitful opinions and views and agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

1/23/2012
H.E. Ambassador meets Mr. Yoshitaka Abe, Executive Director, Aquamarine Fukushima

H.E. Ambassasdor Mr. Al-Otaibi, received a follow up discussion from Mr. Yoshitaka Abe, Executive Director, Aquamarine Fukushima, which a courtesy call was previous made upon the Ambassador last October in 2011, regarding the presentation of damages of the aquarium and proposal to work bilaterally to become a bridge between KISR and Fukushima Prefecture. Mr. Abe expressed his appreciation to the Embassy’s coordination with Kuwait, KISR and the Council of Ministers in Kuwait, regarding the proposal for assistance in the reconstruction of the damaged aquarium. H.E. Ambassador Al-Otaibi responded that the coordination has so far been going smoothly and is quite positive that the approval from Kuwait in terms of assistance will be come, and promised to continue contacting Kuwait to expedite the speed of receiving response and feedback from Kuwait. Both parties exchanged fruitful ideas on methods to make the project a huge success, and in concluding the discussion, Mr. Yoshitaka Abe extended an invitation to H.E. Ambassdor Mr. Al-Otaibi to visit Fukushima Prefecture, during the warm season of the cherry blossom season.

Present were:
*Mr. Yoshitaka Abe, Executive Director, Aquamarine Fukushima
*Mr. Yoshitaka Nakamura, Director, Assistance to President, Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East
*Mr. Katsuji Tainaka, Director, Network of Red Sea and Indian Ocean Study

12/15/2011
The Embassy of the State of Kuwait hosts a dinner in honor of Kuwaiti members of Kuwait-Japanese Businessmen’s Committee and Kuwait Investment Seminar

The Embassy of the State of Kuwait, with Mr. Mohammad Al-Mutairi as Charge d’Affaires ad interim and Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Dalah, Third Secretary, hosted a dinner in honor of the Kuwaiti members of Kuwait-Japanese Businessmen’s Committee and Kuwait Investment Seminar on December 15th, 2011, at the Sky Room at Peninsula Tokyo. The Delegation from Kuwait, consisting of approximately 35 members, visited Japan to participate in Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen’s Committee meeting on December 14th, 2011, and Kuwait Investment Seminar meeting on Decembber 15th, which both were held at the Imperial Hotel, under the auspices of Japan Cooperation Center for Middle East, METI and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among the distinguished guests were Mr. Khaled Abdullah Al-Sagar, Vice-President of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, . The Kuwaiti members and the representatives from the Kuwait Embassy had a pleasant and enjoyable evening with good food and excellent night view, within a relaxing and cordial atmosphere and agreed to continue to enhance cooperation to strengthen business investment, cooperation and mutual exchange between Japan and Kuwait.

12/15/2011
Kuwaiti figures hope to elevate level of cooperation with Japan

partnership status noting necessity of such an aspired approach in shadow of national development strategy aimed at launching more than 1,000 ventures in the 2012 fiscal year. , Co-Chairman Khaled Al-Sager showed satisfaction on the results of the gathering, saying that both sides were keen to explore opportunities for new joint projects in Kuwait and abroad. Al-Sager, who also serves as Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Deputy Chairman, said the Japanese companies took more active stance than past years toward enhanced and broadened business relations with their Kuwaiti counterparts. "Since the inception of our committee 15 years, bilateral trade value between Kuwait and Japan has redoubled four times and reached USD 13.44 billion in 2010. In addition, Japan receives 20 percent of Kuwaiti oil exports. But despite their importance, all these achievements do not fully express the ambitions of the two countries," Al-Sager said. He voiced hope that economic cooperation between the two countries will reach the "partnership level" in executing Kuwait's development plan with its cities, roads, ports, institutes, universities, and developing the national human resources, "which is considered very promising partnership politically, socially, and economically for both countries." According to Dr. Adel Al-Wugayan, Secretary General at Supreme Council for Planning and Development, the Kuwaiti government plans to implement 1,370 projects in the fiscal 2012 alone as an annual program based on the five-year development plan.
The Kuwaiti Embassy in Tokyo hosted a dinner on Thursday evening in honor of the visiting delegation for the 16th Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen's Committee and its related seminar which were just wrapped up here. The 30-member high-level delegation included officials from Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Partnerships Technical Bureau, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait Metro Rapid Transportation Co., Kuwait Foreign Investment Bureau and other government sectors, as well as executives of leading companies.
A total of some 280 people from both countries attended the two-day event consisting of a meeting and a seminar on investment opportunities in Kuwait . Wednesday's committee meeting was also attended by former Minister of State for Planning and Development Affairs Abdulwahab Al-Haroun. Meanwhile, Japan's Co-Chairman Hiroshi Saito said separately that the symposium was held in response to requests from the Kuwaiti side, that believes the current Japanese investment in the country does not reflect real economic relations and should be increased. Saito also said the event was concluded with great success and vigorous exchange of views among the participants from the both sides. "This year's committee had different meaning from previous ones, because it came after Kuwait showed us unstinted support and a deep-rooted friendship in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, which prompted us to renew our determination in further developing relations with our Kuwaiti partners through activities of the committee," Saito said. The committee meeting and the seminar were organized by the Japanese Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME). Established in 1973 under the sponsorship of the Japanese government, the JCCME has been promoting Japan's investment and transfer of technology to the Middle East . It also has a Japan Desk in Kuwait , which plays a bridging role between private companies of Kuwait and Japan to help them establish joint ventures.

12/15/2011
Kuwait urges more investment from Japan

Kuwait on Thursday called for more investment from Japanese businesses in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy and metro projects, at a seminar focusing on investment climate and opportunities in Kuwait . The seminar gathered 160 representatives from both economies, including 130 Japanese people from banks, trading houses, construction, engineering, manufacturers, and other sectors. In his opening remarks addressing the Kuwait Investment Seminar, Co-Chairman of the Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen's Committee Khaled Al-Sager emphasized Kuwaiti companies' desire to cooperate with the Japanese counterparts in new projects.
Al-Sager noted that bilateral trade value between Kuwait and Japan reached USD 13.44 billion in 2010 and the figure has redoubled four times since the inception of the committee 15 years ago. He commended the role played by the committee in the development of commercial and economic relations with Japan. However, Al-Sager, who also serves as Kuwait Chamber of Commerce Industry (KCCI) Deputy Chairman, pointed out the weakness of the Japanese investments in Kuwait . The current level does not reflect the real economic relations between the two countries and should be elevated. He also expressed hope that a double-taxation avoidance pact signed by the two governments last year will further spur bilateral economic exchanges and investments. The one-day seminar was organized by the Japanese Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) in connection with the 16th Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen's Committee on Wednesday.
Secretary General at Supreme Council for Planning and Development Dr. Adel Al-Wugayan provided an overview of Kuwait 's five-year development plan, calling on Japanese entities and businessmen to take part in key projects. He mentioned the establishment of a new business hub called Madinat Al-Hareer (Silk City), a major container harbor, a 25-km causeway, railway, and metro system, infrastructure, hospitals, institutes, and universities projects. Al-Wugayan also revealed that the government will implement 1,370 projects in the next fiscal year starting from April 2012. The ambitious development plan, in which the government will spend more than USD 104 billion through 2014, would pave the way for Kuwait to become a regional trade and financial hub through sustaining economic development, economic diversification, and GDP growth. Kuwait Foreign Investment Bureau representatives explained recent regulations on foreign investment in the country and the Partnerships Technical Bureau outlined upcoming mega projects.
According to bureau President Adel Al-Roumi, Kuwait's development plan calls on a greater role for the private sector in the economy and the government seeks to increase economic diversification through the promotion of key non-oil related sectors, such as healthcare, education, financial institutions, transport, and real estate. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Director General Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi for his part said KISR is currently focusing on exploring alliances with international organizations for collaboration in the field of renewable and alternative energy. According to Dr. Al-Mutairi, as of 2008, average daily fuel consumption by power plants in Kuwait exceeded KD 1.4 billion (USD 5 billion).
The seminar also covered infrastructure projects by the Ministry of Public Works, which plans to tender 48 contracts for construction projects by January 2014.
Meanwhile, Kuwait Metro Rapid Transport Co. said the pre-qualification for the rail project is expected to be released late 2012, while that for a metro project to be released in the first quarter of the next year. The railway and metro network would be linked to a broader network that covers all Gulf Cooperation Council member states and have great impacts on the development of Kuwait and solve the problem of overpopulation in many areas. In an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and Kuwait TV, JCCME President Tadatsuna Koda said the seminar was held in response to requests from the Kuwaiti side, which believes the Japanese investment should be increased. Koda also said Japanese participants came from a wide range of industries, reflecting Japan's keen interest in a new type of business cooperation with Kuwait . He also voiced expectation of enhanced ties between the two countries' private sectors. First Secretary at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Japan Mohammed Al-Mutairi also attended the seminar.
Established in 1973 under the sponsorship of the Japanese government, the JCCME has been promoting Japan's investment and transfer of technology to the Middle East . It also has a Japan Desk in Kuwait , which plays a bridging role between private companies of Kuwait and Japan to help them establish joint ventures