ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf left here Monday for Kuwait on a three-day visit to lead Pakistani's delegation to the first ever Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit being held there from October 15 to 17.

“The ACD will provide a useful platform to discuss cooperation in a larger number of areas of common interest that include energy, agriculture, tourism, environment and financial matters,” said the Prime Minister while talking to newsmen here at Chaklala Air Base before his departure for Kuwait.

The ACD is a Thai initiative and it was launched in 2002 in Bangkok and draws its membership from across Asia. Pakistan is one of its founding members and the ACD has 31 members at present.

The Prime Minister said besides attending the Summit, it would be a good opportunity for him to meet some of the world leaders who will be present in Kuwait to attend the Summit and exchange views with them on matters of mutual interest.

He expressed the hope that trade and business activities will also be improved as an outcome of ACD summit and it will enhance the present trade ties.

Prime Minister Ashraf, who is on his first ever visit to Kuwait, will also hold discussion with the Kuwaiti leadership to exchange views on bilateral issues, and to promote ties in different fields especially in energy and trade.

Kuwait is a friendly and brotherly Muslim country and the cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait covers diverse areas. A sizeable Pakistani community lives in Kuwait that has been plying active role in the improvement of economy of Pakistan and Kuwait.