US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4519

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004519 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI SWALKER, LONDON FOR LTSOU 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EAID, EFIN, KU, WE, GZ 
SUBJECT: KUWAITI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON FOUNDATION FOR THE 
FUTURE AND INVESTMENT IN PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES 
 
REF: SECSTATE 189774 
 
1. (U) Summary.  In an October 19 meeting with Econ 
Counselor, the Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Chamber 
of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) welcomed the establishment of 
the Foundation for the Future (reftel), looked forward to a 
potential role for KCCI in the Foundation's efforts, and 
explained that there was no indication of Kuwaiti private 
sector investment in Palestinian territories other than 
private property holdings by some Kuwaitis.  End Summary 
 
2. (U) On October 19, Econcouns, accompanied by Econoff, met 
with Rabah Al-Rabah, Deputy Director General of the KCCI, a 
non-government entity with close ties to the GOK, to discuss 
the proposed Foundation for the Future (FFF) and solicit 
Al-Rabah's insights on possible Kuwaiti private sector 
investments in the Palestinian territories. 
 
3. (U) Econcouns provided Al-Rabah a non-paper, based on 
reftel points, with background information on the FFF and its 
goals and objectives for the region, noting that an official 
demarche to the GOK on the FFF would be forthcoming. 
Al-Rabah was appreciative of the information and inquired 
about the FFF's overall structure, functions, and 
affiliation, if any, with Arab and foreign governments. 
Econcouns addressed Al-Rabah's questions per reftel points 
and offered to provide additional information as available. 
Al-Rabah welcomed FFF's establishment and any potential role 
the KCCI could play to advance the organization's interests, 
including potential nomination of board members in 
collaboration with the GOK. 
 
4. (U) On possible Kuwaiti private sector investment in the 
Palestinian territories, Al-Rabah noted that although some 
Kuwaitis owned private property in the West Bank and Gaza, 
KCCI was unaware of any specific Kuwaiti private sector 
investment, adding that some Kuwaitis were eager to reclaim 
lost property in the Gaza Strip following the Israeli 
disengagement.  He added that the European Union had 
approached KCCI for bilateral cooperation on a proposed 
Palestinian-EU Chamber of Commerce currently under 
consideration. 
LEBARON