LUXEMBOURG, July 12 (KUNA) -- President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Jin Liqun Friday praised the role of Kuwait in the founding and expansion of the bank.
"Kuwait was the very first country to work with other Asian countries to create this bank. We are looking forward to the early ratification of the Kuwait parliament to become full member," he told a press conference at the sidelines of the annual AIIB meeting in Luxembourg this afternoon.
"Gulf countries are very, very important for us. Geographically they sit at a very important area linking Asia, Europe, Africa. So we attach importance to the Gulf countries," he said in reply to a question by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
"We are looking forward for working relationship getting stronger with Gulf countries," he said.
"As middle income countries they are very much interested in working with our banks. We believe that it is important for us to work with middle income countries to improve their infrastructure and there will be positive impact on the lower income countries around the region," said Liqun.
He noted that the AIIB is working in Oman in developing the port and broadband connections and added that "we will be very much delighted if we can have the opportunity to support other Gulf countries".
On his part, Finance Minister of Luxembourg Pierre Gramegna told the joint press conference that it is for the first time that the AIIB is holding its annual conference outside Asia.
He stated that Luxembourg as a leading international finance centre can play an important role in strengthening Asia-Europe banking relations.
He said that the AIIB currently has 97 members and three more countries are expected to join it tomorrow, and noted 2500 delegates are attending the 2-day meeting which kicked off Friday in Luxembourg. (pick up previous) nk.mt