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(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Kuwait and Austria are negotiating an agreement for economic, financial, and technical cooperation between the two countries, and it is expected to be concluded soon, said Austrian Ambassador to Kuwait Marian Wrba.
Speaking to KUNA, he said that these talks were the most notable outcome of the visit made by the Austrian President Heinz Fischer to Kuwait in February, adding that the visit was successful at the political, economic, and cultural levels.
Wrba noted that there were a lot of issues that Kuwait could gain from this agreement in event of its conclusion, the most significant of which would be benefiting from Austria's membership in the EU, along with its membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The Austrian ambassador added that the protocol of cooperation signed during the visit by Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) with the Federal Economic Austrian Chamber aimed at enhancing economic and commercial relations between the two countries, the exchange of commercial delegations' visits, and providing the two countries with investment laws, regulations, and business opportunities, as well as establishing exhibitions for companies, eliminating obstacles standing in the way of trade.
On relations between the two countries, Wrba said that Kuwait was important as it was the gateway to the rest of the Gulf states, thus enhancing its strategic importance for Austrian companies and establishments which sought to establish economic relations, not only with Kuwait but also with the region.
Meanwhile, he said Austria was the gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, a region that included a large number of countries interested in establishing cooperation with Kuwait.
On bilateral trade relations, Wrba said that this was at a low level because Austria did not import oil from Kuwait, and Austrian exports to Kuwait amounted to 100 million euro in 2008.
As to entry of Austrian companies to Kuwait and their participation in infrastructure and mega projects which the government intended to launch soon, the Austrian ambassador said that once information about these projects were made available, Austrian companies would be ready and willing to hand in their bids and provide expertise.
There are a lot of Austrian companies in the construction, contracting, and infrastructure sectors, which are taking part in the execution of projects in Kuwait through sub-contracting, especially in projects undertaken by German and other European companies, Wrba added.
As for Kuwaiti investments in Austria, the ambassador said that further endeavors were recently underway to attract Gulf investments to Austria, among them Kuwaiti investments, adding that a regional center for investment was inaugurated in Austria in Abu Dhabi, covering the region as a whole.
Asked about the most notable sectors Kuwaiti businesses could invest, Wrba said that the most significant sectors were finance and banking, along with the industrial, tourism, and insurance sectors.
In answer to a question about intent to establish a direct flight route between the two countries, the ambassador said negotiations were underway for either Kuwait Airways Corporation or Austrian Airlines to operate direct flights between Kuwait City and Vienna.
He said that such a move, if implemented, would have a positive impact on tourism between the two sides, along with business activities, trade, and investment.
Wrba noted, however, that despite the absence of a direct flight route between the two countries, reaching Vienna from Kuwait was easy through regional Gulf airlines or European carriers.
The ambassador emphasized cultural relations between the two countries, saying that arrangements were being made for hosting one of the most reputable Austrian music bands - Vienna Philharmoniker Orchestra - together with the most celebrated jazz music orchestra in Austria in February of next year, as a part of Austria's participation in Kuwait's national celebrations.
Asked about the number of Kuwaiti tourists who visited Austria every year, Wrba said that they exceeded 4,000 annually, a figure which was expected to rise in light of the advantages his country enjoyed.
Of these advantages, the ambassador said, was the geographic location of Austria, the aesthetic nature of Vienna, especially lakes characterized by the purity of their waters, as well as museums, art galleries, and cultural centers, and the developed tourist infrastructure of hotels and restaurants, among others.
The Austrian capital is close to some of Europe's major historic cities, and thus tourists can visit these cities, spend a day there, and return to Vienna, he added.
On a different note, the ambassador shed light on meetings currently taking place between the Austrian Embassy and Kuwait Municipality over permission to import Austrian foodstuff after ensuring compliance with the required specifications and being "Halal," a matter over which Austrian authorities were cooperating with the Islamic centers.
Regarding political relations between the two countries, Wrba said that ties dated back to the mid-1960s, but had witnessed continued development since 1979 though mutual visits at the highest levels, the last of which was the visit by the Austrian President Fischer to Kuwait.
The ambassador also noted that his country had stood by Kuwait when it was invaded by Iraq in 1990, adding that Austria allowed the coalition planes to cross its airspace, as well as Austria's role in the UN units post-liberation, including troops, logistics, and medical units.
Wrba pointed to Vienna's location on the world map, and the fact that Vienna was the seat for a number of world organizations, including the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
This, he said, enhanced the significance of Austria at the international level, and the European country over the past few decades was the launching point of a lot of resolutions which had a significant impact on the course of international cooperation.
In this context, Wrba noted the significance of Austria, which now assumed a key role in international dialogue in the issues related to energy affairs.
OPEC will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, and will move to its new headquarters in cooperation with the Austrian government, in appreciation for its efforts in the world energy market over the past five decades.
By Ahmad Faraj
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