Kuwait, Turkey ink $15m deals for Syrian refugees

Maritime transport, navigation feature high on Kuwaiti-Bahraini talks

ANKARA, March 22, (KUNA): The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) on Tuesday signed with Turkey three agreements worth $15 million to contribute to the response plan of Syrian refugees living in the Turkish cities of Gaziantep, Kilis and Sanliurfa.

The agreements were signed by KFAED’s Director General AbdulWahab Al-Bader and Mayors of Gaziantep, Kilis and Sanliurfa, in the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Speaking to KUNA, Al-Bader said that the agreements would contribute to financing projects aiming to alleviate economic and social effects on services provided to refugees living in host cities across Turkey.

They also aim to support Turkey’s efforts seeking to respond to refugees’ crisis, and enhance social cohesion in the three mentioned cities, he added.

He noted that the first project in Gaziantep aims to provide social services and professional training courses for refugees, and build a rehabilitation center for the disabled. He expected that the project would complete by 2019.

In Kilis, the project will focus on the rehabilitation and construc- tion of social centers for refugees, and providing them with furniture and equipment, he pointed out.

It also includes the preparation of a landfill for solid waste at a capacity of 454,000 cubic meters, and overhauling of a main road, he made clear.

Al-Bader indicated that the project in Sanliurfa aims to improve drinking water, renovate sewage network and redirect rainwater to prevent floods across the city.

KFAED provided up to 12 loans worth KD 106 million to finance projects in different fields across Turkey.

It also offered two grants worth $20 million last January to contribute to the response plan to Syrian refugees’ crisis in the areas of health and education.

Meanwhile, means of enhancing bilateral cooperation in maritime transport and navigation featured high on the agenda of Kuwaiti-Bahraini cooperation talks held in Manama on Tuesday.

Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Bahraini Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Hassan AlMajid and Director General of the Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) Sheikh Yusuf Al-Abdullah AlSabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, also discussed the latest developments in the field.

The two sides reviewed the achievements of the Kingdom’s ports, the Bahraini ministry said in a statement, reviewing the future plans for promoting performance in line with the latest international standards, criteria and practices. They also exchanged constructive views and proposals for mutual benefit.

During the meeting, Al-Majid stressed the significance of bolstering ties between the ministry and KPA which enjoys long history and experience in the industry.

On his part, Sheikh Yusuf AlAbdullah emphasized the deeprooted ties between the two countries in all fields.

The Kuwaiti delegation had a tour in the Khalifa bin Salman Port, where they were briefed on the major tasks of the company in charge of the harbor.