Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins on a visit to Kuwait and United Arab Emirates [09 Nov 2009]

From 9 to 12 November, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins is on a visit to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Foreign Minister is also accompanied by a delegation of Latvia's businessmen whose aim is to dicuss possibilities for economic co-operation.

As part of the visit, Minister Riekstins intends to have bilateral meetings with senior officials of Kuwait and the UAE, and review the current regional and international issues, as well as the prospects for bilateral co-operation between Latvia and the two host countries.

During the visit to Kuwait, the parties are to sign the Convention between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the State of Kuwait for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital.

In both countries, on the initiative of Latvia, meetings will be held with heads of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and round table discussions and matchmaking event will take place.

Latvia is interest in highlighting its profile in the Gulf Region which could become a significant export market for Latvia in the future development of its economic co-operation with Kuwait and the UAE in the fields of transit (airports, ports), tourism and investments.

This is the first official visit by a Latvian Foreign Minister to Kuwait and the second visit at this level to the UAE since 1998.

On 21 May this year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Latvia on a one-day visit which was the first visit to this country by a UAE Foreign Minister.

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