Despite almost only two years of diplomatic ties, the relationship between Kuwait and Uzbekistan has been steadily improving. "Our relationship has been in perfect shape since the start of diplomatic ties with Kuwait in 2004," declared Uzbek Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Abdulrafik Khashimov during a meeting with local press on Thursday at their embassy in Mishref. A number of diplomatic encounters have been activated since their president visited Kuwait in 2004. "Because of that visit, a cultural, political and economic relationship has been growing continuously," he added.

That visit was reciprocated in June 2007 when Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah visited Uzbekistan. Bilateral and regional issues were tackled during his visit, including the signing of several important Memorandums of Understanding (MoU’s).

The deputy general of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development also visited Uzbekistan in July 2007 where he participated in a 60-million dollar soft loan signed between two countries, paving the way for the finance and reconstruction of Uzbekistan’s drinking water supplies, railways, and medical equipment loans.
The ambassador also talked about the recent Islamic conference in the Uzbek capital, which was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Abdullah Al-Matouq and Kuwait’s Minister of Education Nouriyah Al-Sabeeh, wherein they agreed to protect and develop the Islamic civilization.

Khashimov also lauded the Kuwaiti team on their grand prize title which they had won during the Samarkan Music Oriental Festival which was held in Uzbekistan in August this year. "The Kuwaiti team was very successful this year in the music festival as compared to last year where they finished second. I hope that our bilateral relations in all levels will continue to expand as we wait for the visit of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait to Uzbekistan by early next year," he added.

Asked on the trade and investment aspects of both countries, the ambassador noted, "We want constant meetings and interactions with Kuwaiti officials to further foster our desire to intensify our trade and business partnership between our two countries. Unfortunately, the reason why we have no steady trade relations is because we have no direct flights, but we are working hard on this issue," Khashimov stressed.

The Uzbek ambassador also talked about the coming visit of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation which is set for early next year. "Uzbekistan is more than just an old civilization. We have all the natural and mineral resources including all handmade products which we know we can be proud of," Khashimov conluded.

Kuwait Times