BD, Kuwait start new era of strategic partnership
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh and Kuwait have vowed to deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across key strategic areas including defence, trade, energy, labour and development partnerships.
The commitment came during the first-ever Bangladesh-Kuwait Political Consultation held in Dhaka on Sunday, marking a new phase in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat.
Discussions took place in what both sides described as a warm and constructive atmosphere, reaffirming the historic ties that began when Kuwait recognized Bangladesh in 1973.
Both countries agreed to institutionalize the political consultation mechanism and hold meetings every two years, alternating between Dhaka and Kuwait City.
They also emphasized the importance of boosting high-level visits and regular exchanges among government officials, business leaders and cultural delegations.
Defence cooperation received special attention. Kuwait acknowledged Bangladesh’s long-standing contribution under Operation Kuwait Punargathan while both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in military training, disaster response and cyber security.
With over 3.5 lakh Bangladeshi expatriates working in Kuwait, manpower collaboration featured prominently. The two sides agreed to expedite pending labour agreements and explore new job opportunities in line with Kuwait Vision 2035.
On economic ties, both countries stressed the need to expand trade and investment, especially in energy, infrastructure, ICT and halal food processing.
Bangladesh invited Kuwaiti investors to explore Special Economic Zones and Hi-Tech Parks, while both sides agreed to reactivate the Joint Trade Committee and hold a Bangladesh-Kuwait Business Forum in 2026.
Satisfaction was expressed over ongoing development assistance from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), and both nations agreed to scale up cooperation in renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure and aviation connectivity.
Cultural diplomacy and academic exchanges were also highlighted. The two sides welcomed an MoU between the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy and the Kuwait Diplomatic Institute and agreed to expedite the exchange of diplomatic plots for missions in Dhaka and Kuwait City.
Bangladesh and Kuwait reaffirmed their cooperation in international forums including the UN and OIC.
Bangladesh thanked Kuwait for supporting the Rohingya humanitarian response and reiterated backing for Kuwait’s candidatures to UNESCO, the UN Human Rights Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The consultation concluded with a shared commitment to building a “comprehensive and forward-looking partnership” based on mutual respect, economic progress and regional stability under Kuwait Vision 2035.
Later in the day, according to Foreign Ministry, Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat met Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
After the meeting with Foreign Adviser, Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat told the journalists that a number of agreements would be signed between the two countries to expedite the mutual cooperation including labour market.