KUWAIT CITY, July 13: The 2025/2026 budget report revealed that a budget of KD1.497 billion was allocated for construction and major maintenance projects for the fiscal year — an increase of KD46 million compared to the budget last year, which amounted to KD1.451 billion. T

he report indicated that the three largest items in the construction and major maintenance projects budget are buildings and land improvements — KD689.300 million, including construction and major maintenance projects for government, commercial and residential structures; followed by infrastructure with a budget of KD587.675 million, including construction and major maintenance projects for roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, water and sewage networks, communications, electricity and gas.

The third item is the radical maintenance of civil and social service facilities, amounting to KD283.889 million — covering projects for civil and social service facilities. It is worth noting that the entire construction and radical maintenance item includes the amounts paid for new and approved construction projects currently being implemented with additions like expansions, increases, or extensions to an existing asset, as well as the maintenance, replacement, and renovation works.

By Mohammad Ghanem
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

President of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Sheikh Humoud Al-Sabah meets with Executive Vice President of Airbus Wouter van Wersch.

KUWAIT CITY, July 12: President of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Sheikh Humoud Al- Sabah has affirmed that the directorate prioritizes the development of its relations with major international aviation companies, most notably Airbus, due to the latter’s advanced technical and industrial expertise. In a meeting with Executive Vice President of Airbus Wouter van Wersch and his accompanying delegation last Thursday evening, Sheikh Humoud Al- Sabah confirmed that Kuwait is keen on benefiting from the expertise of Airbus in order to meet the needs of national airlines and enhance their operational readiness under the highest international standards. On the other hand, Wersch stressed that he is proud of the relationship between his company and the State of Kuwait, indicating that Airbus fully supports the plan of Kuwait to modernize the civil aviation sector.

He pointed out that Airbus is working continuously to provide innovative solutions that contribute to raising operational efficiency and achieving environmental sustainability, in line with global trends in terms of emission reduction and enhancement of operational efficiency. Meanwhile, DGCA stated that during the meeting, the two parties discussed many topics of mutual interest; such as the development of vocational and technical training programs for the national manpower; investment in modern air transport projects in a way that enhances the position of Kuwait as a regional center in the field of civil aviation and air services; and prospects for cooperation in the fields of aviation industries, aviation services and modernizing the air fleet. Also, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al-Fassam and Wersch met on the same day to discuss various ways of boosting future collaboration, in light of the implementation of some development projects in Kuwait. The Ministry of Finance disclosed in a press statement that both sides affirmed historic relations between Kuwait and Airbus, and reviewed the latest developments in their current partnership. Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) Sheikh Saud Salem Al-Sabah was also present at the meeting.

By Mohammad Al-Enezi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies

Nearly 236,000 passengers expected at Kuwait International Airport during Eid Al-Adha holiday

KUWAIT CITY, July 12: The Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) has opened the financial bids for the operation, management, service improvement, training, maintenance, and development of Terminal Four (T4) at Kuwait International Airport. Sources told the Arab Times newspaper that two international companies have submitted bids, indicating the Korean company Incheon offered KD72 million, while the Turkish company TAV offered KD84 million. Sources said the offer from Incheon is the lowest among the bids.

Sources revealed that the Board of Directors of CAPT referred the bidding documents to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — the entity concerned with the bid– to study and analyze the offers from the technical and financial perspectives. Sources said the DGCA will present its recommendations within 30 days from the date of receiving the documents. Sources added that the directorate will base its recommendations on the results of the study conducted in this regard and then submit them to CAPT for the latter to decide whether to award the contract to the best bidder.

Sources stated that the recommendations will then be referred to the remaining regulatory authorities to complete the other requirements; affirming this step is under the policy of involving the private sector in the management and operation of the airport, especially after the remarkable success of the private operator’s experience with T4 over the years, which contributed to improving services provided to passengers and the achievement of high operational efficiency that were reflected in the overall performance of the airport. Sources revealed that the aforementioned companies previously met the required percentage in the technical evaluation, with the Korean company receiving a rating of 87.5 percent, while the Turkish company got a rating of 87 percent.

By Mohammad Al-Enezi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff