Belgian ambassador lauds coronavirus vaccination campaign in Kuwait

(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, May 5 (KUNA) -- Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait, Leo Peeters, has lauded the measures adopted by the State of Kuwait to control the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country."Vaccination is very well organized in Kuwait and progressing at good speed with more than one million doses administered, "he told a webinar on relations between Belgium and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries."Economic measures have been put into place to support SMEs and the impact of the pandemic on the public has been relatively mild," he noted.Peeters who took up his post in August in Kuwait said he is enjoying the "climate and warm friendship of the Kuwaitis" and stressed, "Kuwait has a very active parliament." Kuwait has outlined its long-term strategy for a more sustainable and diversified economy in its 2035 vision, which includes a very ambitious project to develop a brand new city in the north of the country, called Silk city, he said.The Belgian ambassador stressed that there are many opportunities for Belgian companies in the fields of sustainable construction solutions and clean energy in Kuwait.He pointed out that the diversification of the economy has gained importance in Kuwait as well as the digitization and greening of the economy.He said Belgium and Kuwait enjoy a "long-standing and excellent relationship," noting that this is very visible also through the network of petrol stations of the international arm of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Q8, which are also actively engaging in the regreening by installing electric charging stations in Belgium.He highlighted three sectors foods, sports, event business, and the medical sector for increased cooperation between the two countries.Port authorities of the two countries are in strong collaboration too, he said.Peeters who is also an ambassador to Bahrain said that due to the pandemic situation he was not able to visit Bahrain but managed to present his credentials to the country's foreign minister in January.The Annual diplomatic business workshop with GCC countries was organized by the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC) Tuesday evening.In his keynote address, Peter HUYGHEBAERT Director, Middle East & North Africa Department in the Belgian foreign ministry told the virtual that Europe could support the diversification of economic programs and renewable energy projects in GCC countries.He noted that in the Gulf region after the Al Ula agreement earlier this year "we see an opportunity to make further progress in sectoral cooperation and regional security and for reviving negotiations on a free trade agreement with the GCC countries." In his closing remarks, Qaisar HIJAZIN Secretary-General of ABLCC said the Arab world holds immense potentials and is a key partner to the EU, and called for a more cooperative relationship between the two sides.Belgian ambassadors posted in other GCC countries also spoke at the virtual event. The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. (end) nk.aa MENAFN05052021000071011013ID1102032254