ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda has signed several agreements with Kuwait as Prime Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sahab continues a month-long tour of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Kuwaiti prime minister is scheduled to arrive in Guyana later this month.

“The signing today of a trade agreement; a cultural and artistic agreement; a memorandum of understanding to develop our relations and cooperation in the political,  economic and other fields; and an economic and technical cooperation agreement, opens up a new level of cooperation between both of our states,” Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said.

“We also welcome your government’s decision to engage my Government in reviewing the arrangements as set out in our loan programme with the Kuwaiti Fund. We look forward in earnest in discussing this vitally important aspect of our programme of debt and structural reforms.”

Spencer said that the two nations, although significantly different in population and size, have found a basis for friendship and bilateral cooperation that respects the interests of both sides.

“My government today, reaffirms our commitment to developing and strengthening the excellent relations that we now enjoy,” he said.

“We regard the State of Kuwait as a genuine partner as we aspire to grow and develop both of our nations.

“It is good to recall that our relations have a long history, which includes Antigua and Barbuda’s support for your country and condemnation of Iraq’s invasion in 1991. Our country played a major role in CARICOM’s condemnation of this heinous crime against your people.”

The Prime Minister said that his country is equally supportive of the Kuwait government in its efforts to deepen the levels of cooperation with Iraq which has led to positive developments on the ground.

He said that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to support the confidence and cooperation building process being explored by Kuwait and Iraq and hope that this level of relations will lead to the resolution of a larger set of outstanding issues between your country and Iraq.

“This method of cooperation that is also being supported by the international community highlights the importance of the State of Kuwait to peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Kuwait is a small, oil-rich country nestling at the top of the Gulf, flanked by large or powerful neighbours such as Saudi Arabia to the south, Iraq to the north and Iran to the east.

Spencer said that Antigua and Barbuda’s economy is highly based on the provision of tourism services to an international market and that the Middle East, particularly Kuwait, has tremendous potential for cooperation in the field of travel.

“My Government today welcomes your Government’s decision to sign an Air Services Agreement which will result in Antigua and Barbuda opening up our industry to welcome tourists and business people from Kuwait with direct, connecting and code-sharing flights,” Spencer said.

“We look forward to welcoming the first passenger flight from Kuwaiti Airways into Antigua and Barbuda.

As our relations develop, we will remain mindful of how great a friend and partner the State of Kuwait has been to Antigua and Barbuda,” he added.