ASSALAMU ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAH WA BARAKATUH.
Dear Friends,
February 25th is a momentous day in the annals of Kuwait’s history. On this day, Kuwait gained full independence. Coming at it heels is February 26th, the day Kuwait was liberated from a brutal aggression.
This year’s celebration of the twin occasions of independence and liberation day coincides with the grand celebration by Bangladesh of the Birth century of one of the greatest leaders of this sub-continent, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I take this opportunity to extend the warm wishes of the people of Kuwait to the people of Bangladesh.
My Friends, As I look back to the time when I arrived in Dhaka to take up my assignment as Ambassador of Kuwait, I came with the conviction that the friendly relation between Kuwait and Bangladesh will be further consolidated during my tenure here. As I reflect on this cooperative relationship, I feel proud to assert that the two countries enjoy a special bonding based on lofty principles and shared values that lay strong emphasis on respecting the inalienable rights of all nations to co-exist in a friendly and peaceful environment, as sovereign countries.
My Friends, some of the core objectives of our common policies are to ensure social justice and emancipation of all people from the scourges of hunger and poverty.
We in Kuwait strongly that the welfare socio-economic development of Kuwait is intertwined with the economic development and social progress of the region in particular and the world at large. It is from this belief, emanates our strong commitment to use our economic wealth in creating a new world order free from conflict, unrest and tension.
Friends, given the geo-political realities, it has become all the more imperative for our two friendly countries to strive in a concerted manner to promote global peace, ensure security and support International legitimacy. Kuwait, on its part has been advocating for long, in different International platforms and forums, for renouncing aggression as a means of resolving disputes and contentious issues.
Friends, with the changed World Order brought about by recent developments in global geo-politics, there is optimism both in Kuwait and in Bangladesh, that all such problems between neighbors could be resolved amicably through dialogs and negotiations.
Just as Bangladesh is a voice of peace in this South Asian region, so is Kuwait in the West Asian or Gulf region. Kuwait has channeled its energy to making efforts to diffuse tension in the Middle East.
Friends, our friendly ties has stood the test of time and now rests on a solid foundation as a result of the fore sight and pragmatism of the leadership in our two countries. While Kuwait continues to support the development stride of Bangladesh as one of its partners in progress, the Bangladeshi community in Kuwait, numbering over 250,000 coming from different professions and trade, has been conscientiously contributing to the industrial development and economic growth of Kuwait with commendable performance.
We in Kuwait express our profound appreciation and admiration of the humanitarian gesture of Bangladesh in opening its door to almost a million refugees from Myanmar. Kuwait, a nation that has been acclaimed leader of humanitarianism by the United Nations for its own humanitarian role around the world understands and empathizes with this courageous gesture of Bangladesh. While expressing its gratitude to Bangladesh for its humanitarian gesture, Kuwait has taken a number of initiatives in the international forum to rally round Bangladesh and provide all necessary support to Bangladesh as it tries to deal with this mammoth task of accommodating and providing necessary amenities. Kuwaiti welfare organizations and medical teams have provided necessary assistance alongside the initiatives of the Bangladeshi government to alleviate the suffering of the displaced people.
Kuwait is on the threshold of attaining high level economic growth that promises to catapult it among the ranks of developed countries by 2035. The objectives and mechanism for realizing Kuwait Vision 2035 has opened the doors to massive investment opportunities in Kuwait for both domestic entrepreneurs and foreign investors. Bangladesh, which currently has an impressive growth rate of over 8 percent, has an emerging class of reputed business houses that can explore and invest in Kuwait given its investment friendly policy, facilities and privileges.
I am optimistic that the relation between Kuwait and Bangladesh could develop into a strategic partnership through greater interaction at different levels to promote trade, economic and cultural cooperation.
Long live Kuwait-Bangladesh friendship.
