(With photos)
ANKARA, April 19 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti investments in Turkey will reach USD one billion by the end of this year, said Kuwait Finance Minister Bader Al-Humaidhi late Wednesday.
Al-Humaidhi arrived in Turkey last night as part of a ministerial delegation which includes Health Minister Maasouma Al-Mubarak and Justice Minister and Awqaf (endowment) and Islamic Affairs Minister Abdullah Al-Maatouq following H.H. the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's recent visit to facilitate stronger economic and commercial relations.
Al-Humaidhi spoke following a dinner banquet held by the Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan honoring the Kuwaiti ministers and their accompanying delegation.
Kuwait's finance minister said the delegation would be visiting several public facilities in the medical field especially to discover areas where cooperation could be boosted.
During the 1970's and 1980's, Turkey had a strong presence in Kuwaiti construction, Al-Humaidhi said, following the crises in the region the Turkish presence had been reduced notably.
Al-Humaidhi hoped that Turkish corporations would re-enter the Kuwaiti market in this era of open economic policies and increased competition.
The delegation arrived in Ankara last night on a three-day visit that will also include a stop in Istanbul, Turkey's commercial center, to complete and put into effect agreements made by Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during last week's visit.
The delegation met with Erdogan upon their arrival to deliver a letter from H.H. Sheikh Nasser.
On his part, Erdogan relayed his best wishes to H.H. the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, H.H. the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and H.H. the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.
The delegation discussed several issues of joint interest with Erdogan.
The delegation also includes Foreign Undersecretary Khalid Al-Jarrallah, Secretary General of the Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation Mohammad Abdulghafar Al-Shireef, Civil Aviation Director Fawaz Al-Farah, and the Health Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Ali Al-Saif.
It also includes representatives of the Health Minister's office Majda Al-Qattan, Kuwait Investment Authority Farouq Bastaki and Osama Al-Ayoub, and head of the Justice Minister's office Abdulaziz Al-Majed.
The delegation was received by the Turkish Finance Minister and the Health Minister Recep Akdag, and Kuwait Ambassador to Turkey Abdullah Al-Thuwaikh.
