(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah's visit to China, due to start Monday, will give significant impetus to bilateral relations, said Kuwait's Ambassador to China Mohammad Al-Thuwaikh.
"The visit is expected to bolster bilateral relations between the two friendly Asian nations," Al-Thuwaikh told KUNA Sunday.
He described the Kuwaiti-Chinese ties as "strong and steadily developing" in all domains, particularly in the economic, commercial and energy fields.
"Kuwait was the first Gulf state to have full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1971, but the bilateral trade ties have started long before that time," the Ambassador said.
He pointed out said His Highness the Prime Minister would have a busy schedule during his four-day visit to China.
"His Highness the Premier will hold talks with several senior Chinese officials at the forefront of them are President Xi Jinping, Prime Minster Li Keqiang and Parliament Speaker Zhang Dejiang," he said.
"Moreover, His Highness the Premier will attend the ceremony of signing several agreements for reciprocal exemption of entry visas for diplomatic and special passports-holders; civil aviation; energy; investment and trade cooperation." The Kuwaiti diplomat noted that His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak will also attend the opening of the Tenth China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum.
He estimated that the value of trade exchange between the two countries in 2013 at USD 12.3 billion. He pointed out that Kuwait is one of the top ten oil exporters to China.
Kuwait is interested in exploring investment opportunities in China and for his reason, the Kuwait Investment Authority opened a branch in in the Asian nation two years ago, he said.
The Ambassador also stated the Chinese officials and investors have shown interest in investing in Kuwait. They seek to partake in the implementation of state development projects, he added.
He acknowledged the level of educational and cultural cooperation still below the aspirations of the two governments.
With regard to Kuwaiti tourists who visit China, the Ambassador said that Chinese Embassy in Kuwait issued over 10,000 entry visas to China for Kuwaitis in 2013.
His Highness the Premier will be accompanied by a large delegation of ministers, senior officials and economic figures.
Among the delegation members are First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah; Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Madaj; and Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh.
It also includes Kuwait Petroleum Corporation CEO Nizar Al-Adsani; Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development Director General Abdulwahab Al-Bader and Kuwait Investment Authority Director General Bader Al-Saad.
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