The Embassy of the State of Kuwait

Ambassador Holds Talks with Member of House of Representatives Mrs. Tanaka Miyoko

H.E. Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Japan, Abdul-Rahman Al Otaibi, held talks with Member of House of Representatives (HR) of Japan Mrs. Tanaka Miyoko at HR headquarters on February 4th, 2010, about the latest developments of the Japanese political and economic scene, including the situation of the Japanese Diet after the elections of the House of Councilors to be held next July under the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Talks also covered the bilateral relations between the State of Kuwait and Japan, positions of the Japanese government on the different agreements projects between the two countries, as well as the prosecution of DPJ General Secretary Ichiro Ozawa for accusations of involvement in forging political funds reports.

During talks H.E. highlighted to Mrs. Miyoko, still in her thirties, that pumping new young blood in such state institutions as parliament plays an important role in the promotion of the dynamism of dealing with international relations. In this context, H.E. pointed to the historical achievement Kuwaiti women reaped when they secured four seats in the Kuwaiti Parliament in May 2009 legislative elections, and underscored their role in the development of democracy in Kuwait. He also suggested to Mrs. Miyoko to finalize with her colleagues the formation of Parliament Friendship Association and to join the Kuwaiti-Japanese Parliamentary Committee in order to promote the bilateral parliamentary relations.

In her turn, Mrs. Miyoko welcomed the success Kuwaiti women achieved in Parliamentary elections, and emphasized that such success will further promote and strengthen the democratic process Kuwait is embarking on. By the same token, she appreciated the idea of joining the Kuwaiti-Japanese Parliamentary Committee and paying a visit to Kuwait in the framework of the bilateral parliamentary cooperation at an earliest convenience.

In their discussion of the current economic situation in Japan amid the international financial crisis, Mrs Miyoko opined that the implementation of the economic and financial stimulus measures advanced by the current government as efficiently and speedily as possible, as detailed in the 2009 extra budget recently cleared the Japanese Diet and the 2010 financial budget not passed yet, is direly needed to help put the Japanese economy back on track and maintain its world position.

With regard to the Ozawa political funds forging allegations, Mrs Miyoko pointed out that if Ozawa is cleared of accusations, the political change manifesto, which the DPJ-dominated current government has championed since last August 2009 elections and strives to put into effect since it has held power reins last September, will not lose momentum. However, if indicted, negative effects might afflict DPJ popularity.

As far as bilateral relations are concerned, H.E. stated that as the State of Kuwait and Japan will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of their distinguished historical diplomatic relations and cooperation the two countries are due to embrace further progress and prosperity in the coming fifty years and beyond. He added that when the agreements projects under bilateral negotiations are concluded, they will strengthen further those relations and open more new prospects for deeper and stronger bilateral cooperation. Mrs Miyoko shared H.E.’s opinion.

2 / 4 / 2010

Kuwait, Japan to boost efforts toward trade, investment protection deals 12/10/2009

Ambassador Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, who led the Kuwaiti delegation to the first Japan-Arab Economic Forum in Tokyo, agreed on Thursday with Japanese officials to promote joint efforts to upgrade bilateral economic and trade relations.
During separate talks with Nobuyoshi Chihara, Deputy Director-General at Foreign Ministry's Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau and Hideichi Okada, Director-General of Commerce and Information Policy Bureau at the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, Sheikh Ali expressed his satisfaction towards the forum and Thursday's meetings, saying it showcased Japan's hospitality. The Kuwaiti ambassador, who serves as Director of Foreign Ministry's Economic Department, also congratulated Chihara and Okada on Democratic Party of Japan's victory in Lower House election on August 30, and expressed hope to strengthen cooperation in all fields between the two countries under Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's administration. He also stressed the commitment of the Kuwaiti leadership to continue its efforts and cooperation with the new Japanese government to ensure further progress and prosperity for both countries. The meetings were accompanied by Kuwait's Charge d'affaires Mohammed Al-Mutairi.
Sheikh Ali encouraged Japanese companies to engage in economic activities and to increase investment in Kuwait, expressing hope that the two countries will soon reach final agreements on investment protection, as well as economic and trade cooperation, which will give a tremendous boost to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kuwait and Japan in 2011. For his part, Chihara thanked for the visit of Sheikh Ali to Japan and said he shares the same views with Sheikh Ali on the development of bilateral relations. "I hope Kuwait will continue its cooperation toward the conclusion of those agreements on them, as well as the Japan-GCC free trade agreement," Chihara told the ambassador.
Okada said Kuwait and Japan have gradually expanded their cooperation not only in the field of oil but also across a broad range of areas, including education and modern technology, adding that the Kuwaiti - Japanese joint committee will endorse efforts to achieve final agreements on trade and investment. Sheikh Ali attended the Japan-Arab Economic Forum earlier this week as on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. The forum was established by the Japanese government and the Arab League, in cooperation with Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East and Japan Business Federation, to advance the construction of mutual multi-layered relations in various fields, including trade, investment, energy, environment, scientific and technological research, and the development of human resources.

Kuwaiti delegation advances economic cooperation with Japan 12/9/2009

The Kuwait delegation has actively engaged in advancing economic cooperation between Kuwait and Japan at the first Japan-Arab Economic Forum held in Toky. The Kuwaiti representatives led by Ambassador Sheikh Ali Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who serves as Director of Foreign Ministry's Economic Department, paid an effort to facilitate the entry of Kuwaiti companies and businessmen into the Japanese market, and to provide the clear picture of Japanese investors with Kuwait's investment climate. The delegation was also accompanied by Charge d'affaires at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Japan Mohamed Al-Mutairi.
In his speech at the two-day forum, Sheikh Ali announced the initiative of H.H.the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to establish a support fund for small and medium-sized companies in the 22-member League of Arab States. The initiative of H.H.the Amir to establish a support fund, with a capital estimated at USD 2 billion, to which Kuwait will contribute USD 500 million, for small and medium-sized companies in the League of Arab States member states was commended during the ministerial meeting of the forum.
Sheikh Ali also noted at the forum that such measures will help improve the investment climate and infrastructure development in the Arab countries and enhance their chances of integration into the global economy. In the working-level meetings, Nawal Al Fuzaia, Assistant undersecretary for economic affairs at the Oil Ministry, Dr. Adel Al Yousifi, Board Member of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Wael Al-Sagar, Co-Chairman of Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmens Committee and Abdul-Aziz Salem Al-Badr, Director of General Commission of Investment called on both bilateral and regional cooperation with Japan in a wide range of fields, such as energy, environment, investment, tourism, education, human resource development and promotion of employment in small and medium-sized companies. In collaboration with Third Secretary at the Embassy Faraj Al-Hajri who speaks fluent Japanese, the Kuwaiti team also focused on seminars about cooperation in the fields of sustainable development, water business, science and technology, and actively involved in promoting cooperation in trade and investment.
The economic forum was established by the Japanese government and the Arab League, in cooperation with Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East and Japan Business Federation, to advance the construction of mutual multi-layered relations in various fields, including trade, investment, energy, environment, scientific and technological research, and the development of human resources. The second Japan-Arab Economic Forum will be hosted by Tunisia in 2010. The trade volume between Japan and Arab states hit USD 184 billion in 2008, compared with USD 48 billion in 2003. .

H.H. the Amir''s initiative to support fund for Arab firms commended 12/7/2009

Ambassador Sheikh Ali Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who heads the Kuwaiti delegation at the ongoing Japan-Arab Economic Forum, emphasized on Monday the initiative of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to establish a support fund for small and medium-sized companies in Arab nations. The agreement was announced in the chair's summary after the ministerial session of the first Japan-Arab Economic Forum held in Tokyo.
The initiative of H.H. the Amir to establish a support fund, with a capital estimated at USD two billion, for small and medium-sized companies in the League of Arab States member states was commended during Monday's ministerial meeting of the forum, in which the Arab side confirmed the importance of developing small and medium-sized companies in the league.
Co-Chairman of the forum Ambassador Sheikh Ali, who is also Director of Foreign Ministry's Economic Department, urged the Kuwaiti private sector and businessmen to participate and contribute effectively and meaningfully in the programs of workshops, seminars and bilateral meetings with major Japanese companies and businessmen who have a desire to invest in Kuwait. He also highlighted the role of the Japanese private sector in Kuwait and Kuwaiti businessmen in the areas of economic and trade cooperation of different types and ranges between the two countries.
Ahead of the two-day forum, Sheikh Ali and the Charge d'affaires at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Japan Mohamed Al-Mutairi attended the signing ceremony of MOU on between the Japanese government and the 22-member states on the establishment of the Japan-Arab Economic Forum. The ceremony was also attended by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima. During his talks with Okada and Naoshima on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Sheikh Ali expressed the strong desire of the Kuwaiti leadership to further strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations. He also told Japanese ministers that Kuwait is keen to expand the bilateral relationship from oil cooperation to other areas that will benefit from Japan's technological and scientific experiences.
He also said Kuwait attaches importance to Japan because of historical ties between the two countries, which they will jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2011.

November 22, 2009: The Embassy of the State of Kuwait participates in a Futsal tournament

In a spirit of friendship and fair play, the Embassy of the State of Kuwait, among 24 embassies in Japan and a team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has participated in the 17th Annual Futsal Tournament {The Mini World Cup 2009} on the 22nd of November 2009 at the Hiranuma Sports Gymnasium in Yokohama. This event is organized by the Foreign Embassies Friendship Association in order to promote international exchange and friendship between the embassies in Japan.
H.E Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaibi, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Japan and Mr. Mohammed Al-Mutairi, First Secretary at the Embassy, along with members of His Excellency’s family and the local staff, formed a team to play for fun and beautiful memories and won the Fair Play Prize of the tournament.

The Council of the Arab Ambassadors and Head of Delegations in Japan meets at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait

H.E the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Japan Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaibi headed the regular monthly meeting of the Council of the Arab Ambassadors and Head of Delegations in Japan held at the Embassy of the State of Kuwait on Friday the 13th of November, 2009. Matters related to the relations between Japan and the Arab countries and the latest preparations for the Japan-Arab Economic Forum to be held in Tokyo from the 6th till the 9th of December, 2009 were on the meeting’s agenda, during which, constructive discussions over the Council’s internal affairs were also conducted.

November 18, 2009 Kuwait''s PM sends invitation to Japanese counterpart

Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi conveyed the warmest regards from H.H.the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took office in mid-September, . In his letter handed to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, Japan's top government spokesman, Sheikh Nasser also extended an invitation to the Japanese premier to visit Kuwait for talks on strengthening bilateral relations under Japan's new government, . Sheikh Nasser congratulated Hatoyama on his Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) landslide victory in the August 30 Lower House election and his inauguration of the DPJ-led government, stressing his eagerness to further develop bilateral relations.
During his meeting with Hirano, which was also attended by Yoshikatsu Nakayama, Special Adviser to Hatoyama, the Kuwaiti ambassador called for greater cooperation and joint work with Japan. He also expressed hope that the Japanese leader will pay an official visit to Kuwait at the time he deems appropriate to discuss issues of common concern.