Laos, Kuwait sign agreements to further cooperation

Laos and Kuwait reached agreements in many areas of cooperation during an official visit to the State of Kuwait by Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh from January 27-29.

Memorandums of understanding were signed after discussion between delegates from the two countries focused on exchange of labourers, setting up of Embassies, and facilitation of aviation services.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in agriculture, industry, trade and tourism.

The agreements paved the way for further cooperation between Laos and Kuwait.

The Lao delegation visited Kuwait after an official invitation was issued by His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

After witnessing the signing ceremony, Mr Bouasone and his delegates attended a welcome reception hosted by Sheikh Nasser. The function was also attended by senior officials from the Kuwaiti government.

Mr Bouasone and Lao delegates arrived at Kuwait international airport on Tuesday and were welcomed by Sheikh Nasser along with other senior Kuwaiti officials.

Mr Bouasone and other delegates will also attend the official opening of the Lao Embassy in Kuwait City today.

The governments of the Lao PDR and the State of Kuwait signed an agreement on July 14, 2008, to establish diplomatic relations.

Sheikh Nasser paid an official visit to Laos on August 5 and 6 last year after the establishment of diplomatic relations.

During his visit, four agreements and two MOUs were signed, on trade, economic and technical cooperation, encouragement and reciprocal protection of investment, avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion.

This was followed by a visit from a group of consultants to the Kuwaiti Prime Minister led by Dr Ismail Khudar Al-shatti on August 22 and 23, who signed cooperation agreements in civil and aviation matters and discussed cooperation in the areas of electricity generation, agriculture and petroleum.

Kuwait is situated northeast of Saudi Arabia at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, south of Iraq, and has a population of just over 2.5 million.

The country covers just 17,819 square kilometres of land, mostly desert, which is rich in oil.

It has a GDP of US$130.1 billion and a per capita average income of US$39,300.