Cake-cutting ceremony

 KUWAIT CITY, April 29: Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs Nayef Al-Mudhaf said the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) is currently reviewing the domestic and civil labor agreements with Sierra Leone. He affirmed that Kuwait will submit a copy of the proposed agreement to the Sierra Leonean government for deliberation and consensus on its stipulations, in preparation for its official implementation. In a press conference organized by the Embassy of Sierra Leone on the occasion of the National Day, Al-Mudhaf revealed that Kuwait has finalized a similar agreement with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; and it is engaged in discussions with the Republic of Kenya and other African nations in this regard, consistent with the policy of the State to expand its civil and domestic labor sources. He elaborated that Kuwait has, in recent years, commenced the recruitment of skilled professionals from certain African nations, whose competence in the country has been substantiated. On the standardization of labor recruitment costs,

Sierra Leone envoy and EU representative in Kuwait Anne Koistinen

Al- Mudhaf explained that pricing variations are contingent upon the legislative frameworks of each country. “Nonetheless, Kuwait employs comprehensive agreement formats, resulting in considerable convergence in price levels. It also complies with international accords on labor practices,” he stressed. He added that Kuwait remains amenable to proposals from those seeking to engage in such agreements for the benefit of all concerned parties. Concerning bilateral relations with Sierra Leone, Al- Mudhaf confirmed the continuous contributions of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to support development projects in Sierra Leone. He revealed the fund has granted 11 loans totaling around $83 million to boost vital sectors like infrastructure and water treatment. He said Kuwait and Sierra Leone have executed seven substantive cooperation agreements, encompassing various areas; such like economic and trade, establishment of a joint commission, political consultations, air transport services and education. He added other agreements are under negotiation and are being finalized, indicating that dialogues are being conducted to strengthen coordination in different fields, like reciprocal visits to fortify bilateral relations. Meanwhile, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Kuwait Haja Ishata Thomas confirmed that her country appreciates the strong bilateral relations with Kuwait. She described these relations as “substantial, enduring and mutually advantageous throughout more than three decades of collaboration.”

Sierra Leone envoy and Palestinian ambassador

She lauded the constructive role of Kuwait, through KFAED, in assisting her country, especially during difficult times like the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the 2017 landslide, as well as its contributions to the funding of water infrastructure, medical facilities, and road systems. She affirmed the allocation of land in the capital, Freetown -- for the construction of the new Kuwaiti embassy, reflecting the two nations’ dedication to deepen their diplomatic relationship. She encouraged Kuwaiti investors to capitalize on the promising investment opportunities in her country, underscoring the economic reforms that have positioned her nation as an appealing investment destination in West Africa. She revealed the Sierra Leonean government offers incentives like tax relief, simplified administrative procedures and profit repatriation. She also mentioned the abundant natural and cultural resources in her country; such as pristine beaches, tropical rainforests and historical monuments. She invited Kuwaiti nationals and residents to visit Sierra Leone, disclosing that visas are issued upon arrival or through the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Kuwait.

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff