Accelerated Execution of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port Construction Project by Kuwait and China
In a major leap forwards, Kuwait and China have kicked off the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Bubiyan Island, with both nations pegging this venture as the key to transforming the north into a bustling economic and urban center, as well as cementing Kuwait's status as a regional transport powerhouse.
Since the contract inking in March 2024, these strategic moves have gained traction, with bi-annual meetings dedicated to sorting out any barriers and accelerating progress. According to Al-Anba daily, the fifth round of political consultations between the countries emphasized the importance of executing development agreements, particularly the port project. Top-tier Chinese officials, including advisors from the Presidential Development and Reform Commission, were involved in these intricate discussions.
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianwei confirmed that the project has entered an advanced stage, accentuating the significance of Vice Minister of Transport Fu Xiuyin's inspection visit and a strategic meeting with Kuwait's Minister of Public Works, Dr. Noura Al-Mishaan, which led to expedited progress.
The Kuwaiti government, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister providing solid support, considers the project a pivotal cornerstone in Kuwait's development roadmap, aiming to diversify revenue streams and pump up the GDP.
A pact was inked in February with a Chinese state-owned firm to offer design and pre-execution services. Since then, regular site visits by officials have guaranteed consistent progress. In January, the Cabinet approved China's nomination of the China State Construction and Transport Corporation to oversee, manage, and administer the project.
A Memorandum of Understanding (Decree Law 155/2024) outlines cooperation to upgrade the port into a milestone of the Belt and Road Initiative, boosting East-West trade. It includes mutual consultations, joint working groups, technical expert teams, and the exchange of laws, materials, and project data.
The broader strategic partnership with China, established in 2018 and reinforced during the Amir's 2023 visit to Beijing, encompasses MoUs on renewable energy, infrastructure, housing, and free zones. Both sides aim to foster sustainable development and economic growth under Kuwait Vision 2035.
Additional Insight: As of April 2024, specific updates from the search results regarding the project weren't readily available. However, by March 2025, fieldwork commenced following a year of diligent planning, with intensified Kuwaiti-Chinese technical cooperation. China State Construction and Transport Limited was officially selected in January 2025 to handle the project's implementation, backed by Decree-Law No. 155 of 2024.
Furthermore, the port is slated to rival Iraq’s $17 billion Development Road project, attempting to connect Gulf trade with Europe, while serving as a vital pillar of Kuwait's strategy to decrease oil dependency, increase the nation's GDP, and bolster its role in East-West trade. Moreover, the port's Belt and Road alignment signifies the deepening Sino-Kuwaiti ties, providing an essential gateway for regional logistics and global connectivity.
- The Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project, initiated on Bubiyan Island in collaboration between Kuwait and China, is pegged as a key transformative venture for the north, aiming to turn it into a bustling economic and urban center, and solidifying Kuwait's status as a regional transport powerhouse.
- The fifth round of political consultations between Kuwait and China emphasized the importance of executing development agreements, particularly the port project, with Vice Minister of Transport Fu Xiuyin's presence during this discussion being significant.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (Decree Law 155/2024) was signed between both countries, outlining cooperation to upgrade the port into a milestone of the Belt and Road Initiative, boosting East-West trade through mutual consultations, joint working groups, technical expert teams, and project data exchanges.
- The broader strategic partnership with China, established in 2018 and reinforced during the Amir's 2023 visit to Beijing, encompasses MoUs on renewable energy, infrastructure, housing, and free zones, with both sides aiming to foster sustainable development and economic growth under Kuwait Vision 2035.
- The Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project, slated to rival Iraq’s $17 billion Development Road project, serves as a vital pillar of Kuwait's strategy to decrease oil dependency, increase the nation's GDP, and bolster its role in East-West trade, while the port's Belt and Road alignment signifies the deepening Sino-Kuwaiti ties, providing an essential gateway for regional logistics and global connectivity.
