Kuwaiti financial aid assured

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NEW YORK, Sept 26 (UNB): Kuwait has assured Bangladesh of providing necessary financial support for the construction of the long-awaited Padma Bridge, as Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed made the request during a meeting with the premier of the oil-rich Gulf state.
The Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Nas'r Muhammad Al-Sabah, gave the assurance at the bilateral meeting with the Chief Adviser on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly at the UN Headquarters Thursday evening.
After the meeting, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim told the press that the Kuwaiti Premier had told the Chief Adviser that his country was willing to provide financial assistance from the Kuwait Fund.
He requested sending details of the bridge project for processing the financial assistance.
He also said the Kuwaiti government has taken steps to enact new laws to protect the rights of foreign workers, and the Bangladeshi workforce would be benefited from the legal protection.
Terming the meeting warm and cordial, the Chief Adviser said, "Kuwait has been a long-lasting friend of Bangladesh."
He said Foreign Adviser Iftekhar's recent visit to Kuwait was very fruitful, as a number of good decisions were taken during that time.
Among others, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister and the Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ismat Jahan were present on the occasion.