The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Kuwait

Foreign Advisor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury had a meeting Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah yesterdaywhen he sought Kuwaiti assistance for the Padma Bridge and the Special Economic Zone for expatriate investments to be set up in Sylhet."

The meeting was "most warm and friendly", Iftekhar said, adding "Bangladesh-Kuwait friendship is traditional and it flows from the common ties we share in terms of historical heritage and the great religion of Islam."

The Advisor said they discussed a large number of topics, both of international and bilateral significance. He praised the farsightedness of the Kuwaiti leadership that has placed their economy on a firm footing.

"I appreciated the assistance they have rendered Bangladesh so far, and hoped for further Kuwaiti cooperation in two key future projects, the Padma Bridge and the Special Economic Zone for expatriate investments to be set up in Sylhet," Iftekhar said. The Adviser said they also discussed the situation pertaining to the Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait and he expressed the hope that measures will soon be implemented to alleviate their problems.

"We spoke about a number of such steps," he said, adding the Kuwaiti Prime Minister lauded the contribution of Bangladeshi workers to the Kuwaiti economy.

Also present at that meeting was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Muhammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

Later, Iftekhar called on Kuwaiti Minister for Social Affairs and Labour Bader Fahed Ali Al-Duwailah and discussed at length matters pertaining to the problems of Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait.

"It was a most useful meeting and the Minister assured me that the subject would be thoroughly examined with a view to speedily resolving all outstanding issues," Iftekhar told journalists afterwards.

The Foreign Adviser urged the Social Affairs and Labour Minister to lift the ban on transfer of residency and new visas. He assured the Advisor that these will be taken up with the Interior Ministry. "Where it involves the Labour Ministry, it will raise most favourable coordination, Ali Al-Duwailah said..

The Advisor said they also discussed speedy disposal of compensation cases.

The Foreign Adviser on Wednesday held two rounds of meeting with members of the Bangladeshi Community in Kuwait at the Embassy and at a local Hotel and was also accorded a reception by them.