KUWAIT: Nobel Laureate and founder of Grameen Bank Dr Mohammad Yunus underscored the productiveness of his meeting yesterday with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Yunus, who is on a visit to the country, said that the meeting primarily focused on "poverty in the Muslim world and issues related to the youth."
Elaborating on his motto of 'three zeros,' Yunus said that he has always been driven by efforts to "rid the world of poverty, unemployment and carbon emission." "His Highness the Amir has informed me of numerous initiatives Kuwait has taken to eradicate unemployment and poverty," Yunus noted. "We had great discussions and I am very happy to have had the chance to meet His Highness the Amir," the Nobel Laureate said.
A social entrepreneur, banker and economist, Yunus is championed in his home country of Bangladesh for pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance. His microfinance organization, Grameen Bank, makes small loans to the impoverished as means of helping them cope with the rising cost of living. In 2006, Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his finance work. In addition to meeting His Highness the Amir, Yunus also met with National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
Al-Jahra Governorate
In other news, His Highness the Amir received retired Lieutenant General Fahad Al-Amir, Al-Jahra Governor, and a number of Al-Jahra residents at Bayan Palace. In a speech at the reception, the Governor thanked His Highness, on behalf of the residents, for establishing different projects in Al-Jahra Governorate including a hospital, a court house, and a hall to celebrate special occasions. He also praised the wise leadership of His Highness, adding that the governorate's officials are set to present to His Highness ideas on several development projects to be executed in the area.
After the meeting, a number of Al-Jahra residents hailed the completion of several projects in Al-Jahra, namely Sheikh Ahmad Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hall for social occasions and soon to be over Al-Jahra Hospital. In a press statement, Al-Oyon Mayor Malouh Al-Harbi expressed great honor to meet His Highness the Amir to thank him for the various projects that were completed in the governance.
Meanwhile, Adwan Mohammad Al-Towalah praised His Highness the Amir's vast knowledge to problems in Al-Jarha, including the needed vital projects that were done to help the governance, thanking as well the various ministries that took part for their efforts. Dr Mohammad Al-Busairi said meanwhile he was honored to have met His Highness the Amir and thanked him for his care and keenness to ensure projects like a hospital, a court house, and a banquet hall were seen through. The delegation later visited His Highness the Prime Minister as well.
Municipal Council
Also yesterday, His Highness the Amir received Kuwait's Municipal Council Chairman Muhalhal Al-Khalid, who conveyed to his Highness a report on the achievements of the Council for the 11th convening term from 21-10-2013 to 30-4-2015. His Highness the Amir also received His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince received His Highness Sheikh Nasser, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and Acting Chairman of the State Audit Bureau (SAB) Adel Al-Sarawi.
Graduation
Separately, His Highness the Amir is set to patronize and attend a broad graduation ceremony of Kuwait University's students for the 2014-2015 academic year, including those with higher education degree. The ceremony will be held today at the Late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Theater in Shuwaikh district. - KUNA