Kuwait Times

Published Date: July 01, 2009

MANAMA: Energy, labor and finance are the three main areas of cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, on Monday.

During his address at the first GCC-ASEAN ministerial meeting, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad said, "The Gulf region is blessed with various energy sources such as oil, gas and solar power, while our friends in Asia have water resources and fertile lands, which we are in dire need of. Hence, we can establish relations based on this fact; energy in exchange for food security.

On the subject of labor, Sheikh Mohammad said that, unlike Asia, GCC countries suffer from a scarcity of national labor, offering another area of cooperation.
GCC countries are globally renowned as effective investment partners, whereas in Asia, managing and running capital in many fields has proved to be profitable, which allows joint cooperation in that regard," the top Kuwaiti diplomat continued.

Other areas which he said need to be developed by both sides, given the intensive global competition, are education, healthcare and the environment. - KUNA