Public Works Minister Noura Al-Mashaan said on Thursday that Kuwait will sign an agreement with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) next week, to end the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project.
According to the official gazette, the Central Agency of Public Tenders has granted a contract between the ministry and CCCC to carry out engineering, procurement, and construction of the port’s first phase on December 1.
A government document observed by Reuters indicated that the contract is valued at 1.219 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($3.97 billion). Al-Mashaan said in a statement that the Prime Minister of Kuwait will be present at the signing ceremony with the Chinese.
The Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port is a strategic undertaking designed to establish a safe regional passage and trade center on the island of Bubiyan, located in the northern part of Kuwait. China has attempted to connect it to its Belt and Road Program.
However, Kuwait hopes that the project will assist in diversification of its economy, increase GDP, and assist it in reclaiming its regional commerce and financial position. The government estimates completion of about 50 percent of the first phase, but did not mention any details on the remaining work.
The port is part of the various mega projects Kuwait is undertaking with Chinese assistance, such as power and water plants, renewable energy and waste recycling projects, and new residential cities.
Kuwait signed several memorandums of understanding in 2023 with China when a visit was made to Beijing by then-Crown Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who took over as emir in December 2023.
