It is a very good opportunity to write on this happy occasion of the 58th National Day of the state of Kuwait, which is on February 25 and 28th Liberation Day from the Iraqi Invasion, which is on February 26.

As a Kuwaiti, the occasion gives me the honour to renew our expression of pride of the bilateral relations between the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bhutan. For the two countries, the 36 years of friendship has proved tremendously sincere in the political, economical and many other aspects.

On September 9, 2014, His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was honored by the United Nations as the “Humanitarian Leader” and named the State of Kuwait as a “Center of Humanitarian Action.” In view of the long history of extending the hand of relief and aid to all countries, both at times of the war or during natural disasters and even in assisting countries in the implementation of their development plans through one of the oldest funds in the world, the Kuwait Fund since 1961.

Kuwait was nominated for the second time as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 2018-2019. The first was in 1978-1979. Kuwait is working very hard to achieve the principle of international peace and security in many conflict zones based on its deep belief in the necessity of cooperation and joint coordination with the international communities to achieve peace, prosperity and stability around the world.

Kuwait has achieved economic growth after being able to cope with the prolonged decline in oil prices since 2014. Kuwait has faced the oil price crisis in a “stable position” because it has strong financial reserves, low debt, safety of the financial sector of the country, and diversity of sources of income through its foreign investments, shares and real estate in various countries.

In Kuwait there are very large workshops started since 2018 to achieve the vision of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah titled (New Kuwait 2035) to return Kuwait to its previous position as a financial and commercial center attractive to investors which is based on the new vision of seven pillars:

– A distinguished international standing

– Innovative human capital

– Effective government administration

– High quality health care

– A sustainable diversified economy

– Sophisticated infrastructure

– Sustainable living environment

Today, there are 1,627 Bhutanese working in different fields in Kuwait. Kuwait appreciates their efforts and welcomes them, and we are very impressed by the degree of discipline at work, professionalism and highest training quality.

Bhutanese passport holders can receive their visit visa upon arrival at Kuwait International Airport. I would like to welcome all Bhutanese citizens and the private sector to take this opportunity to visit their friends and relatives in Kuwait at any time they wish and to discover the investment opportunities there.

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the occasion of the 58th National Day, 28th Liberation Day and the 13th Anniversary of His Highness’s reign over the State of Kuwait, and to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on his 13th Anniversary as the Crown Prince of Kuwait.

I am pleased to express my great admiration for Bhutan’s growth in roads, airports and high-rise buildings in the heart of the capital Thimphu, banking services and facilities, educational system and youth initiatives.

We are honored to extend our best wishes of happiness and good health to His Majesty The Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and we wish His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and His Royal Highness The Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck on the occasion of their birth anniversaries, long life, good health and perpetual happiness.

I take this opportunity to express on behalf of Kuwait Embassy staff our gratitude for the good care, hospitality, wisdom and inspiration that we receive from Their Majesty the Kings.

Contributed by 

Fadel Alhasan

Head of Mission of the Kuwait Embassy, Thimphu