By Mubarak Duaij Al-Sabah
KUWAIT, Nov 20 (KUNA) -- Visiting Senegalese President Macky Sall said here Tuesday he was looking forward to seeing Kuwait as the gateway of African countries to the Arabian Gulf.
Speaking to KUNA in an exclusive interview, Sall believed that an Arab-African cooperation conference, called by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, would be a genuine springboard for cooperation that could fulfill the expectations and hopes of both Arab and African peoples.
The Senegalese leader appreciated Senegalese-Kuwaiti deep relations as historic and distinguished, and a model for cooperative ties among Muslim nations.
He lauded the wisdom and experience of HH the Amir, which has helped in the promotion of Kuwait's position regionally and internationally, pointing to HH the Amir's role in cementing and beefing up Islamic cooperation and integration.
He urged Kuwaiti investors to run business in Senegal, which he said enjoys a firm democratic system, security and political stability and a promising market.
He said he began his term of office by focusing on justice and equality, setting out priorities for Senegalese citizens, looking for fresh sources for improving the economic situation and developing Senegal's relations with other world countries.
Sall noted that he was keen to begin with Kuwait in his first Arab tour since he was elected president of Senegal in March 2012 thanks to this Gulf nation's vital and significant role at both Islamic and world levels.
He spoke highly of HH the Kuwaiti Amir's eagerness to consolidate all efforts purposed to bolster cooperation and integration among all Muslim countries.
On his talks with Sheikh Sabah, he said they had mulled several international issues of mutual interest, but the focus was put on a further promotion and development of bilateral cooperative relations in order to include more domains for the common interest of both Kuwaiti and Senegalese peoples.
Since Senegal and Kuwait forged relations in 1975, bilateral ties have been marked by constructive cooperation, shared visions and common desire for popping up inter-OIC integration, he remarked.
He boasted that his country was in the forefront of the countries which supported Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and even joined international forces to liberate Kuwait. This position was based on Senegal's appreciation for Kuwait and its wise leadership, he said.
Kuwait always comes up with noble initiatives and hosts many events aiming to help others and to strengthen cooperation for the goodness and stability of the world, Sall said.
He pointed to HH the Amir's USD-100-million initiative to set up a fund for decent life, primarily purposed to develop small-sized projects and women in poor countries.
HH the Amir's participation in the recent African Summit in Addis Ababa had a great influence in the promotion of African-Gulf cooperation, given that he was the first Gulf leader to attend the summit.
The Senegalese leader appreciated HH the Amir's initiative for holding an Arab-African summit in Kuwait next year, which he said would be a jumping-off for a fresh stage of Arab-African cooperation.
He voiced confidence that Kuwait, following this summit, would be the gateway of African countries to the Arabian Gulf and open new vistas for bilateral cooperation in various areas.
African countries boast many resources and promising markets, but they only need experts who can help in the development and utilization of such resources, he said.
He hoped to see Arab and Gulf presence in African in the coming years, noting that European countries have been there for hundreds of years and East Asian nations have been seeking to have a strong foothold there. "But, we are looking forward to seeing Gulf countries there," he said.
However, the State of Kuwait took the lead to be present in Africa through Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which has supported development projects in many African countries. But, he urged private companies to run investments there.
He recalled to memory the great role by KFAED in cementing the economy by funding 27 projects with KD 98 million in roads, tourism and infrastructure. Senegal is KFAED'S major beneficiary in Africa.
He pointed to the presence of the Kuwaiti private sector in Senegal through several tourist and hotel projects, but he hoped it would have a bigger presence in his country.
On challenges facing Muslim economies, the Senegalese president said the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has overhauled its mechanism over the recent years, and Senegal is working with several Muslim countries, mainly Kuwait, in order to beef up this cooperation.
Muslim peoples need genuine cooperation and effective economic partnerships, given that Muslim nations boast abundant potential and resources that can ensure successful partnerships; especially experts, money, fruitful experiments, and common religion, destiny and aspirations, Sall added.
However, he stressed the significance of confidence among the OIC member countries as some countries still prefer western experts than Muslim ones.
There should be strong bridges of cooperation among Muslim nations, including major development projects that could produce long-term high returns, he urged.
On violence in Senegalese presidential polls in March, he said Senegal has a 100-year democratic experiment, which is a historical heritage that has developed through different stages and has reached maturity. But, he said, some people tried to spur violence in the country, yet, the Senegalese people rejected and everyone consequently realized that violence would lead to no way out.
Everyone had to resort to ballot boxes through fair and transparent presidential elections that were applauded by world countries, the president boasted.
Although Senegal is locked in several economic problems, the government focuses on ensuring justice and equality and allocating efforts and potential for projects and attracting foreign investments with a view to cutting joblessness, the Senegalese leader pointed out.
He noted his country is opened-up to the east and the west and has historical relations with Arab, Muslim and European countries and is a connecting channel between Africa and the west.
On the volatile situation in Mali, he said his country is working with the OIC and the Africa Union (AU) to contain the situation there and to fight terrorism aiming to destabilize the region. He added that 3,300 soldiers would be sent to Mali to fight militants there.
Finally, he called for more concerted world cooperation, especially Muslim nations, to fight extremists who choose poor regions to fan out their extremist ideas, impose their control there and destabilize neighboring countries, just as was the case in Somalia, Nigeria, Mali and many other countries. (end) mds.fa.hs.mt KUNA 200906 Nov 12NNNN