Hayat: Anticipated Cooperation Agreements Between Kuwait and Benin in Food Security and Cybersecurity
During the Embassy of the Republic of Benin’s celebration of its 66th Independence Anniversary
Benin Ambassador: Relations with Kuwait are based on friendship and mutual respect
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs, Ambassador Samih Hayat, affirmed that relations between Kuwait and the Republic of Benin have witnessed continuous development since their establishment in 1973. He announced a move toward signing new agreements in the fields of food security and cybersecurity, alongside activating existing agreements, thereby enhancing the bilateral partnership and opening broader horizons for cooperation between the two countries.
This statement came during an interview Hayat gave to journalists on the sidelines of the Embassy of the Republic of Benin’s celebration of its 66th Independence Anniversary. He clarified that Kuwaiti-Benin relations are based on a set of memorandums of understanding and agreements that have contributed to strengthening cooperation between the two sides, noting that the coming phase will see this cooperation pushed to broader levels.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to continuously review its relations with African countries, confirming a trend toward expanding Kuwaiti diplomatic representation on the African continent in the near future, driven by the growing importance Africa holds for Kuwait at the political, economic, and developmental levels.
Hayat pointed out that Kuwait has already begun enhancing its cooperation with several African countries in the field of labor recruitment, noting the existence of agreements with a number of these countries to recruit skilled labor and others, while continuing efforts to expand this cooperation to meet the needs of the Kuwaiti labor market.
For his part, Ambassador of the Republic of Benin, Professor Bediro Agimon, affirmed the strength of the relations binding his country and Kuwait, describing them as being based on sincere friendship and mutual respect, and witnessing continuous growth at the political and economic levels. He expressed his country’s aspiration to elevate the bilateral partnership and expand the horizons of cooperation and investment to serve the interests of both countries.
Agimon, in a speech delivered during the celebration, stated that Benin takes pride in its close relations with the State of Kuwait, praising the wisdom of the Kuwaiti leadership and its prominent role in consolidating security and stability and enhancing the values of dialogue and cooperation at the regional and international levels. He emphasized that dialogue and mutual respect constitute the two fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable peace and stability.
He added that Kuwaiti-Benin relations have witnessed notable development in recent years, manifested in strengthening political dialogue, reinforcing the legal framework for cooperation, and joint efforts to expand investment and trade exchange areas, alongside encouraging partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries.
The Ambassador invited Kuwaiti investors and businessmen to take advantage of the investment opportunities offered by Benin, affirming that his country enjoys a stable, secure, and business-friendly environment, as well as a strategic location that provides access to West African markets. He pointed to promising opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, agro-industries, energy, logistics services, tourism, the digital economy, and industry.
He stressed the Embassy’s readiness to provide all necessary facilitations to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. In conclusion of his speech, Agimon expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, His Highness the Crown Prince, and the Kuwaiti government and people, for the friendship, support, and warm welcome enjoyed by the Republic of Benin, affirming his country’s aspiration to continue working with Kuwait to enhance the bilateral partnership in a manner that achieves the common interests of the two friendly peoples.
