Kuwaiti leader arriving for 4-day state visit

MANILA, Philippines – Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, is scheduled to Friday, March 23, for a 4-day state visit to strengthen bilateral ties and further strengthen cooperation with the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a news briefing Thursday, March 22, that the Kuwaiti leader is arriving between 2:00 to 2:30 pm in Manila. Before proceeding to Malacañang for a meeting with President Benigno Aquino III, he will be accorded arrival and ceremonial honors.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement the two heads of state will discuss how to further strengthen rapidly growing relations between their two countries. There is an estimated 130,000 Filipinos in Kuwait.

In his statement, Del Rosario said, “His Highness the Amir’s visit reaffirms the commitment of the Philippines and Kuwait to reinforce ties and strengthen cooperation between our countries. I am certain that the visit will be fruitful and mutually beneficial in all areas of cooperation especially in the fields of labor, trade, and investment.”

Kuwait is one of the country’s leading investment and development partners in the Middle East. Among its investments in the Philippines is Gateway Logistics City, a 177-hectare aviation-oriented logistics and business center located in Clark Freeport, Pampanga. – Rappler.com