President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday accepted the credentials of Kuwait’s first ambassador to Guyana at a brief ceremony, as the two countries follow-up on commitments to strengthen bi-lateral relations.
Ambassador Waleed Ahmad Al-Kandari, speaking briefly, said his Emir met with Jagdeo in January and the meeting opened many doors. He told reporters yesterday at the Office of the President that Kuwait is keen on cementing ties, noting that while the political relations are strong between both countries, the focus is now on economic and commercial relations. “Our cooperation will be in different fields, mostly commercial and in the area of investment, and I will do best as Ambassador to advance relations,” Al-Kandari stated. He said that Guyana and Kuwait had previously signed agreements on culture and investment, adding that a third is likely to be cemented as it relations to taxation. Guyana and Kuwait had previously discussed an agreement regarding the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion.
The President visited Kuwait earlier this year as part of a Middle East trip and he had reported extensive discussions with the Emir about Guyana’s debt to the country, amounting to over US$50M. Jagdeo said he also met with several groups and had extensive discussions about strengthening the relationship between the private sectors of both countries. He explained that he gave a commitment to facilitate contact between the local chambers of commerce here and the private sector umbrella body with their counterparts in Kuwait. There was also an undertaking to strengthen ties between parliaments. An MOU was also signed for the removal of visa restrictions for diplomatic travel.
He had also disclosed that following a meeting with the Kuwait Fund, Guyana has agreed to do a feasibility study and submit a project proposal for an infrastructure project up to US$10M. He said infrastructure in the housing sector is likely one of the areas where the funds would be directed.
Ambassador Al-Kandari comes to Guyana with an impressive background in diplomatic affairs beginning in 1984 when he was the Diplomatic Attaché in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait. Diplomatic relations with Guyana and Kuwait began in 1995.
