Latest news with #SamihHayat
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait-China inked deals, projects on steady track
KUWAIT CITY - Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Samih Johar Hayat confirmed that the implementation of the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by Kuwait and China is proceeding steadily. Hayat made the statement to reporters on the sidelines of an official farewell ceremony to mark the end of the tenure of Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Zhang Jianwei. Several senior officials, ambassadors and diplomats; including Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al- Fassam and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Sabah attended the event. Hayat disclosed that cooperation, consultation and coordination between the governments of the two countries continue on a daily basis -- both with the Chinese leadership and the Chinese ambassador to Kuwait -- and that things are progressing well. Mega Projects He revealed there are six major development projects called the 'Mega Projects,' which are being implemented jointly by the government and the Chinese companies. 'These are government-to-government projects. We are moving forward to implement all the agreements signed with China,' he confirmed. He said His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad and the concerned ministers fully support these projects. He added that daily reports regarding any step taken with China are submitted to the leadership. On the possibility of Kuwait reciprocating China's one-year visa waiver for Kuwaitis, he asserted, 'this is not new. We signed an agreement with China in 2014, exempting holders of Chinese diplomatic, special, official and service passports from visa requirements, while Kuwaitis hold diplomatic and special passports.' He disclosed that His Highness the Crown Prince was informed about the new Chinese initiative during his meeting with the Chinese Premier on the sidelines of the GCC-ASEANChina Summit. He stated that His Highness met with the heads of delegations at the summit, where the Chinese Premier told His Highness: 'Given the daily growth of our strategic relations, we would like to offer this exemption to Kuwaitis for a trial period of one year.' He said Kuwait is studying this matter to have a memorandum of understanding to regulate the exemption for ordinary Kuwaiti and Chinese passports. Regarding His Highness the Crown Prince's visit to Japan, Hayat stressed, 'it was a historic visit that embodied the mutual trust between the leaderships and governments of the two countries. During this visit, bilateral relations were elevated to the level of comprehensive strategic relations.' He believes this will open the door for the two governments to develop their relations and implement the five agreements signed on the sidelines of the visit. He disclosed there are more than 30 memoranda of understanding signed with Japan that will be implemented soon. Addressing those present at the event, Hayat said 'we bid farewell to the Chinese Ambassador after a busy period in serving the bilateral relations between the two countries. I am honored to convey the greetings of Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, whom I represent at this ceremony, as well as the greetings of Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the assistant foreign ministers, and all the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff.' Progress On the other hand, Jianwei stated 'over the past three years, bilateral relations with Kuwait have made tangible progress, especially in the implementation of agreements. We will work with the Kuwaiti side to implement these agreements, especially since we have noted with pleasure that some projects, such as Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, have made significant progress and are now well underway, thanks to the close cooperation between China and Kuwait.' On whether construction has resumed at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, he disclosed 'the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port has entered the design and construction phase, and work will continue, because this is a very large project that requires a feasibility study. The designs are precise. Now, the first phase of the designs has begun. We are optimistic about the future of our cooperation on projects and in other sectors.' About the timing of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project, he pointed out 'major projects take time and years to implement. I believe that through close cooperation between the two countries, the project will proceed smoothly.' He also expressed his happiness over China's recent decision to exempt Kuwaiti citizens from entry visas, describing it as good news that refl ects the strength of the relationship. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait-China bolster ties, implement major projects
KUWAIT CITY - Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Samih Hayat has confirmed that consultations between the Kuwaiti and Chinese governments take place almost daily to guarantee the successful implementation of the agreements signed during His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's visit to China. Hayat made this announcement in a press briefing on the sidelines of his annual Ramadan Ghabqa -- a dinner held in honor of the heads of diplomatic missions of Asian countries in Kuwait, which took place at his diwaniya recently. He stressed that three out of the seven agreements signed between the two countries have been completed, with three others currently in the process of being signed. The seventh agreement is on cooperation between 26 Kuwaiti and 26 Chinese entities, focusing on strengthening coordination between the two governments. He also affirmed Kuwait's commitment to advance this coordination. He added that his visit to China was aimed at fostering progress and engaging in consultations with the Chinese side on major projects. He revealed that a Chinese government-nominated company will visit Kuwait to discuss the implementation of a sewage project with the Ministry of Public Works on March 22 and 28; while the Chinese assistant transport minister is scheduled to visit Kuwait from April 6 to 18. 'The company nominated for the Mubarak Port project is affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Transport,' he added. Regarding the workers and residential cities project, Hayat indicated 'we are awaiting the Chinese government's nomination of a State-owned company with the expertise and proven success in delivering large-scale projects.' He said 'Kuwait has long sought to strengthen ties with the Far East and the time has come to move forward with the projects that have been signed, especially since all the necessary approvals have been obtained. The executive memoranda of understanding and detailed roadmaps for some of these initiatives will be signed soon.' On the Ghabqa, he explained that this blessed tradition aims to familiarize ambassadors with Kuwaiti customs and heritage; offering a unique opportunity to engage with them outside the formal setting of official meetings.
Arab Times
22-03-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait-China bolster ties, implement major projects
KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Samih Hayat has confirmed that consultations between the Kuwaiti and Chinese governments take place almost daily to guarantee the successful implementation of the agreements signed during His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's visit to China. Hayat made this announcement in a press briefing on the sidelines of his annual Ramadan Ghabqa -- a dinner held in honor of the heads of diplomatic missions of Asian countries in Kuwait, which took place at his diwaniya recently. He stressed that three out of the seven agreements signed between the two countries have been completed, with three others currently in the process of being signed. The seventh agreement is on cooperation between 26 Kuwaiti and 26 Chinese entities, focusing on strengthening coordination between the two governments. He also affirmed Kuwait's commitment to advance this coordination. He added that his visit to China was aimed at fostering progress and engaging in consultations with the Chinese side on major projects. He revealed that a Chinese government-nominated company will visit Kuwait to discuss the implementation of a sewage project with the Ministry of Public Works on March 22 and 28; while the Chinese assistant transport minister is scheduled to visit Kuwait from April 6 to 18. 'The company nominated for the Mubarak Port project is affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Transport,' he added. Regarding the workers and residential cities project, Hayat indicated 'we are awaiting the Chinese government's nomination of a State-owned company with the expertise and proven success in delivering large-scale projects.' He said 'Kuwait has long sought to strengthen ties with the Far East and the time has come to move forward with the projects that have been signed, especially since all the necessary approvals have been obtained. The executive memoranda of understanding and detailed roadmaps for some of these initiatives will be signed soon.' On the Ghabqa, he explained that this blessed tradition aims to familiarize ambassadors with Kuwaiti customs and heritage; offering a unique opportunity to engage with them outside the formal setting of official meetings. Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
