KUWAIT, Feb 25: President Asif Ali Zardari and Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah vowed on Friday to strengthen ties between the two countries through enhanced trade and joint ventures.

Mr Zardari, who arrived here in the afternoon, discussed with Sheikh Sabah the potential of cooperation in diverse fields for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their people.

President Zardari said the signing of a bilateral treaty between Pakistan and Kuwait would promote investment in the two countries. He said the Kuwait-Pakistan Investment Company had the potential to expand commercially feasible joint ventures in petroleum, gas and agriculture sectors and export of meat to Kuwait.

He said Kuwait might encourage the public sector institutions such as Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and Kuwait Investment Authority to invest in Pakistan.

He recalled Kuwait's assistance for the people affected by the earthquake that hit Pakistan in 2005, the internally displaced people of Swat and Malakand and for those hit by devastating floods last year.

He sought enhancement of quota Kuwait had set for skilled and semi-skilled manpower from Pakistan.

The president called for institutionalising defence cooperation through training and military exchanges.

He felicitated Sheikh Sabah on Kuwait's 50th anniversary of independence, its 20th liberation day and the fifth anniversary of his accession as Amir.

The Amir had invited President Zardari to attend his country's golden jubilee celebrations by sending his Special Envoy Dr Maatouq Al Maatouq in December.—APP