Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah, has congratulated Brigadier (rtd) David Granger on being victorious at the recent General and Regional Elections and on becoming the President of Guyana.In a cable message sent Monday, the Emir wished President Granger everlasting health and wellness and looks forward for further progress and bilateral ties between Guyana and Kuwait.

Kuwait’s Highnesses, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al-Sabah, have also sent congratulatory messages, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Kuwait ties with Guyana dates back to the early 1980’s with the funding of orphans in Guyana thorough the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana. Kuwait has also funded a small mosques in Guyana as well, wrote Ray Chickrie in his blog, Caribbean Muslim

Guyana/Kuwait ties have grown increasingly since the visit of former Guyanese President, Cheddi Jagan, to Kuwait in 1996.

This was followed by several lower level visits from Kuwait.  In January 2010, Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo’s 3rd visit to the Middle East took him to Kuwait.

Mr Jagdeo and his delegation were guests of the Kuwaiti Emir and stayed at the Bayan Palace.  Two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed during the visit to bolster cultural ties and bilateral investments.

Kuwait also appointed an ambassador to Guyana and agreed in principle to loan Guyana $10M to develop Georgetown’s housing sector.