Kuwaiti aid for Padma Bridge, SEZ sought

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury sought Kuwaiti assistance for the Padma Bridge and the special economic zone (SEZ) to be set up in Sylhet for expatriates' investment, when he had a meeting with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Thursday, reports UNB from Kuwait.brThe meeting was most warm and friendly, Iftekhar said, adding, Bangladesh-Kuwait friendship is age-old, and it flows from the common ties we share in terms of historical heritage and the great religion of Islam.brThe Adviser 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. brI appreciated the assistance they have rendered to Bangladesh so far, and hoped for further Kuwaiti cooperation in two key future projects, the Padma Bridge and the SEZ to be set up in Sylhet for expatriates' investment, Iftekhar said.brThe Adviser said they also discussed about the situation pertaining to the Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait, and he expressed the hope that measures will soon be implemented to alleviate their problems.brWe spoke about a number of such steps, he said, adding that the Kuwaiti Prime Minister lauded the contribution of Bangladeshi workers to the Kuwaiti economy.brAlso present at that meeting was Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr Muhammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.brLater, 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. brIt was a very useful meeting, and the Minister assured me that the subject would be thoroughly examined with a view to speedily resolving all the outstanding issues, Iftekhar told journalists afterwards.