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CITRA signs deal with Ooredoo to install high-capacity submarine cable

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CITRA signs deal with Ooredoo to install high-capacity submarine cable

Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority Abdullah Al Ajmi with Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Thani, Regional CEO of Ooredoo Group in the Middle East.

KUWAIT CITY, March 11: The Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) signed a licensing agreement with Ooredoo Group on Monday to install the Fiber in the Gulf submarine cable, a project aimed at boosting Kuwait’s position as a major hub for global data traffic.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the authority explained that this project is the largest of its kind in the region. It will offer a capacity of up to 720 terabits per second through 24 pairs of optical fibers, making it one of the most advanced cables in the world. The project will significantly enhance the region’s digital infrastructure.

CITRA anticipates that the cable will be ready for service by the fourth quarter of 2027. This initiative is expected to enhance network flexibility and improve the long-term reliability of communication systems in the region.

The new submarine cable will connect Kuwait with Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. This connectivity will improve the efficiency of digital networks and expand communication between the Gulf countries and the rest of the world.

The project aligns with the region’s digital transformation goals and strengthens its competitive position globally, particularly with the growing demand for high-speed internet, cloud services, and artificial intelligence.

Abdullah Al-Ajmi, Acting Chairman of CITRA’s Board of Directors, highlighted that this project marks a significant shift in Kuwait’s communications landscape. He stressed that it is not just a submarine cable but a strategic move that positions Kuwait as a digital hub, offering higher internet speeds, stronger infrastructure, and greater business and technology opportunities.

Al-Ajmi also noted that this project will enhance the national infrastructure and support economic growth and technological innovation. He reaffirmed CITRA’s commitment to developing Kuwait’s digital infrastructure and its role in driving the international digital economy through more strategic partnerships and initiatives for sustainable development.

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Thani, Regional CEO of Ooredoo Group in the Middle East, commented that the project supports the company’s strategy to lead in digital infrastructure by expanding networks and improving connectivity both within the Gulf and globally. He emphasized that the submarine cable is not just about boosting internet speed but is also a long-term investment in the region’s future communications.

Sheikh Nasser added that the project will enhance digital infrastructure, foster innovation, and open new opportunities for investment in big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. The cable will allow companies and service providers to transfer data efficiently, improving the performance of various economic sectors. Moreover, it will create new possibilities for technological cooperation and strategic partnerships with global telecommunications providers.

He concluded by noting that the project will not only enhance digital communication within Kuwait but also position it as a key player in shaping the future of technology and communications in the region.

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CAPT sets Oct 27 for price talks on Jaber Al-Ahmad entrances project

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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: The Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) has approved the request of the Ministry of Public Works to set Oct 27 as the date for negotiating prices with the four companies bidding for the establishment of entrances and exits at Jaber Al-Ahmad City. CAPT decided during its meeting last Wednesday. All bidders have been required to include detailed price and quantity tables in their bids. The agency excluded two companies for not meeting the conditions and specifications, and the bidding process closed on Feb 18.

The project includes the establishment of entrances and exits in two locations in Jaber Al-Ahmad Residential City — one is the southern entrance and exit linking to Jahra Road, and the other is the eastern entrance and exit linking to Doha Road. It is worth noting that the ministry has been holding negotiation sessions with the winning companies to determine the best and most cost-effective bid.

By Mohammad Ghanem Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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Companies and funds can own real estate in Kuwait under strict controls

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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: As part of the State’s efforts to regulate the ownership of investment and commercial real estate and ensure balance between attracting foreign investment and preserving the privacy of the local market, Decree No. 195/2025 on the controls for real estate ownership by companies, real estate funds, and investment portfolios was issued. This is in implementation of the provisions of Decree-Law No. 74/1979 regulating real estate ownership by non-Kuwaitis. Article One of the decree, which was published in ‘Kuwait Al-Youm’ recently, stipulates that subject to the provisions of the aforementioned law, companies with non-Kuwaiti partners and listed on licensed stock exchanges in Kuwait, as well as real estate funds and investment portfolios licensed by the competent authorities, may own real estate within the country, subject to specific controls. The decree indicates that one of the basic conditions is that the purpose of the company, fund or portfolio must include dealing in real estate.

It prohibits any form of dealing in real estate, plots or land designated for private housing in any location or within any project, in a move aimed at protecting the residential character and preventing speculation in this vital sector. Article Two of the decree clarifies that its provisions do not prejudice the right of entities subject to the supervision of the Central Bank of Kuwait or others to own real estate in accordance with the law. It affirmed that citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries shall continue to be treated the same as Kuwaitis regarding ownership of land and built property in the State of Kuwait. Article Three states that the ministers—each within their respective jurisdiction—shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of the decree, which shall take effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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Factors behind the reversal of losses and profitability

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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 12: Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) aims to raise its profits for fiscal 2025/2026 by increasing its sales in local and international markets, which have been robust since the beginning of the year, say reliable sources. Sources pointed out that KIPIC recovered from the losses it suffered in previous years through the growth of its net profits, which amounted to about KD52.2 million in the 2024/2025 budget. They cited five main factors behind this growth.

First is the increase in the refining capacity of Zour Refinery, which reached 615,000 barrels per day in May 2024, ranking seventh globally in terms of production quantities. They explained that the refining capacity of the refinery in the years prior to its operational opening ranged between 205,000 and 410,000 barrels per day. The second factor behind KIPIC’s profit growth over the past year is the commencement of the merger of oil companies, particularly the merger of KIPIC into the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), to shake off the losses.

The third factor is the result of the implementation of the spending rationalization policy pursued by the CEO of KNPC, who also serves as the acting CEO of KIPIC, Wadha Al-Khatib. The KNPC spending rationalization committee implemented spending rationalization last year, achieving financial savings for KIPIC estimated at KD27 million through this approach. Sources explained that the implementation of rationalization coincided with the provision of better products. The fourth factor is the focus on stimulating KIPIC’s sales in global markets by opening new markets. In the first half of 2025, the company was able to expand its sales of sulfur and diesel, in addition to producing the best type of low-sulfur jet fuel, and then exporting all of its products that comply with international requirements.

The fifth factor is the company’s interest in digital transformation, focusing on developing all aspects related to global technologies, including artificial intelligence, as these technologies are extremely useful in detecting and anticipating errors before they occur, which contributes to stable production. Sources added that there are other important factors behind KIPIC’s profitability, such as the signing of numerous contracts with international companies specializing in smart energy, renewing contracts with the largest global platforms related to technological development in the field of oil refining, and strengthening relationships with major refining companies to mutually benefit from each other’s expertise.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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