Kuwait Times 26 April 2020
I had the honor to receive a copy of a book entitled (The Islamic Development Bank and Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Ali “The Journey of the Foundation and the President`s Biography ”). Dedicate from His Excellency Dr. Bandar bin Muhammad Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, which was issued by the Bank Group, as a historical platform for the journey of this bank since its inception in 1975, under the initiative and patronage of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God have mercy on him, In the same year in which Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Ali has become the president of the bank, and until he retired from this position in 2016 after serving nearly four decades
Everyone who knows Dr. Ahmed, agrees that he has a distinct personality, not only at the regional level but also at the international level. As Dr. Ahmed received the respect and appreciation of heads of state due to his active role in leading this development institution and his support for charitable and humanitarian work
With these qualities, Dr. Ahmed, through his prudent management and the efforts of the bank’s staff and the support of the member states to him during those decades, was able to advance the bank’s work and performance financially and developmentally. Despite the crises that faced the global economy, he was also able to maintain the bank’s position and credit rating (AAA), and the success of the bank group as an advisor and Developmental partner, especially since the volume of bank financing for development projects has exceeded $ 100 billion since its inception
I was personally honored to know Dr. Ahmed when I was a representative of the State of Kuwait in the Board of Executive Directors that he chairs. Although that period was relatively short, it was sufficient to get to know such a personality, which was distinguished by the characteristics that His Excellency Dr. Bandar bin Muhammad Hajjar, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, was able to summarize them, namely honesty, sophistication, know-how and civility
This is what I saw through my acquaintance with Dr. Ahmed while I was in the board. I have experienced him as a diplomat in his management of meetings, loyal and respectful of his work, believing in Islamic solidarity, interested in humanitarian work, and willing to achieve the economic and social development aspirations of the member states
It is appropriate to recall some of his stances during my work with him when I have been participated in the Board in adopting the strategy of the Bank Group, in which governance and integrity was one of its pillars. He was supportive for most of the State of Kuwait`s proposals that were in the context of the governance of the Bank’s business and the Board of Executive Directors. In another attitude it’s reflects the status of The State of Kuwait at Dr. Ahmad, when Kuwait`s ownership percentage in the bank decreased to a critical percentage affecting its permanent position. Dr. Ahmed supported Kuwait’s position during that period until the National Assembly approved a law related to the subscription to increase the bank’s capital, which I was personally honored to propose and draft this law
It’s a memorable moment that his appreciation for the attitude of His Highness the late Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God have mercy on him, when he thanked His Highness during his visit to Kuwait in 2014 for his efforts in establishing the bank when he was Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dr. Ahmed praised His Highness’s initiative by donating to establish the Fund (A Decent Life in Islamic Countries), where he stated that such an initiative is not strange to Kuwait because it plays an important role in aiding developing countries, and also, he mentioned that it has contributed and participated generously in many international organizations and institutions
Thanks, and appreciation to His Excellency Dr. Bandar bin Muhammad Hajjar for the proposal to prepare this book, and also thanks to the Board of Executive Directors for their response to such a suggestion, and the impacts of Dr. Ahmed on the Islamic Development Bank Group will continue to be witness to his role and achievements
Bader alhammad 