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One year after revival, field work is underway at Mubarak Port

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KUWAIT: One year after Kuwait officially revived the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project with the signing of a key agreement with China, momentum continues to build to complete the long-awaited strategic hub on Boubyan Island.

After nearly a decade of halted work, the February 2024 contract for pre-execution studies, design, and services with a major Chinese state-owned company marked a turning point. Following a year of intensive technical planning and coordination, field work officially began in March 2025, supported by strengthened Kuwaiti-Chinese cooperation and regular high-level consultations aimed at overcoming obstacles and expediting construction. The project, seen as a vital pillar of Kuwait’s northern development strategy, is designed to transform Kuwait into a regional transport and logistics hub, complementing wider Gulf trade initiatives and regional connectivity plans.

The urgency to complete the port has been heightened by neighboring Iraq’s ambitious $17 billion Development Road project — a massive transport and logistics network aiming to link the Gulf to Europe. Kuwait’s Mubarak Port is now positioned not just as a national project, but as a vital piece of the broader Gulf trade race.

Recent weeks have seen intense field visits and technical consultations between Kuwaiti authorities and Chinese counterparts, demonstrating strong political and technical will to overcome challenges and accelerate progress.

Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Zhang Jianwei emphasized the project’s importance, noting that Mubarak Port is a strategic anchor in Kuwaiti-Chinese relations. His remarks came during Chinese Language Day celebrations, where he highlighted the latest inspection visit by China’s Vice Minister of Transport Fu Xueyin to the port site.

Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan, who led the signing of the revival contract last year, has reaffirmed that completing Mubarak Port is a top strategic priority, enjoying the full support of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the country’s leadership.

The fifth round of Kuwait-China political consultations, held recently, reviewed the progress made since the revival, and mapped out further collaboration, not only on Mubarak Port but also in areas such as renewable energy, housing, and economic zones — key components of Kuwait Vision 2035.

Fieldwork officially began in March 2025, and both sides have maintained a schedule of ongoing inspections and adjustments to keep the project on track. Kuwaiti officials stress that sustained cooperation with China is crucial to turning the port into a world-class logistics and trade hub.

According to the agreement’s explanatory note, the partnership between Kuwait and China includes mutual technical support, joint planning, and operational cooperation to ensure the success of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port — envisioned as an early project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Gulf.

As the region experiences rapid infrastructure development, Mubarak Port is poised to play a critical role in securing Kuwait’s position as a regional and international trade gateway.

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Zain showcases efforts in leveraging tech innovation to advance sustainability goals

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KUWAIT: Zain announced its sponsorship and participation in the Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week (KSEW), held in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy, and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE). At the event, Zain showcased its efforts in leveraging technological innovation to support sustainability goals and reaffirmed its role as a strategic partner to the public sector in the transition toward a sustainable digital economy.

Zain took part in the opening ceremony, attended by the event’s patron, Dr Subeeh Al-Mukhaizeem, Minister of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy, alongside Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait, ministry officials, company executives, and a distinguished group of local and international experts in energy and sustainability. This participation came as part of Zain’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its presence in national initiatives aimed at reinforcing the principles of sustainability and digital transformation. The company firmly believes in the importance of harnessing modern technologies to serve Kuwait’s environmental and developmental objectives.

During the event, Zain hosted a dedicated booth at the accompanying exhibition, where it showcased a range of its latest ICT solutions that support sustainable goals. These included innovations in smart cities, smart meters, and other solutions that help reduce carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. The company’s support to this national initiative reflects its continued role as a strategic government partner in the transition toward a sustainable digital economy. It also highlighted Zain Group’s broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with global and regional efforts to combat climate change.

Zain also took the opportunity to highlight its Smart Meters Project, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity and Water back in 2017. The project marked a key milestone in upgrading Kuwait’s energy infrastructure and paved the way for the adoption of further smart and sustainable solutions nationwide. The company reiterated its support for initiatives and projects that advance the future of clean energy and contribute to building a comprehensive national sustainability ecosystem. It emphasized that collaboration between the public and private sectors remains the optimal path to achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.

Zain has set strategic targets to reduce its carbon footprint and aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. To this end, the company continues to explore cutting-edge technologies such as 5.5G, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, which can help minimize the environmental impact of the ICT sector. Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and clean energy initiatives, Zain recently installed a solar panel setup at the outdoor car park in its headquarters. The initiative promotes the use of clean energy to contribute to powering the company’s buildings and reducing its carbon emissions.

Reaffirmed its role as a strategic partner to the public sector in the journey toward a sustainable digital economy

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Dust storms sweep across Kuwait; winds surpass 60 km/h

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KUWAIT: A massive dust storm hits Kuwait. Kuwait is currently experiencing strong northwesterly winds causing widespread dust storms, with wind speeds surpassing 60 kilometers per hour and visibility falling below 1,000 meters in several areas, particularly in exposed regions. - KUNA

KUWAIT: A massive dust storm hits Kuwait. Kuwait is currently experiencing strong northwesterly winds causing widespread dust storms, with wind speeds surpassing 60 kilometers per hour and visibility falling below 1,000 meters in several areas, particularly in exposed regions. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Acting Director of the Meteorology Department Dharar Al-Ali said Kuwait is currently experiencing strong northwesterly winds causing widespread dust storms, with wind speeds surpassing 60 kilometers per hour and visibility falling below 1,000 meters in several areas, particularly in exposed regions. Speaking to KUNA on Saturday, Al-Ali attributed the unstable weather conditions to the extension of a surface depression accompanied by a hot and dry air mass. This has led to rising temperatures, soil disintegration, and an increase in airborne dust.

He urged citizens and residents, especially those suffering from asthma and allergies, to wear protective masks when heading outdoors. Al-Ali also cautioned beachgoers about high sea waves, which may reach up to seven feet, and advised highway users to exercise extreme caution due to poor visibility. The official further called on the public to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts by following the Meteorology Department through its official website, mobile application, and social media platforms. — KUNA

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Gulf Housing Week focuses on sustainable development

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KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) announced that Kuwait will host the third edition of the Gulf Housing Week from May 18 to 22, under the theme “Real Estate Development for Sustainable Housing.” Deputy Director General for Public Relations and Development and official spokesperson of PAHW, Omar Al-Ruwaih, said in a press statement that the event comes as part of ongoing efforts by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to strengthen regional cooperation in the housing sector.

The initiative aims to enhance integration, address key housing challenges, and promote the exchange of expertise to support sustainability and improve quality of life across the region. Al-Ruwaih noted that the event will feature a wide range of activities, including panel discussions, a specialized exhibition, and the second edition of the Gulf Housing Hackathon, which will see the participation of male and female students from across the GCC.

He emphasized that the week’s agenda is designed to foster collaboration, encourage best practices in housing and urban development, and highlight the latest technologies supporting sustainable housing solutions. The event will commence with the 47th meeting of the GCC Technical Committee on Housing Affairs. The following day will see the official opening ceremony and the inauguration of the accompanying exhibition. On May 20, the 26th meeting of senior housing officials will be held, culminating on May 22 with the 23rd meeting of GCC Ministers Responsible for Housing Affairs.

Al-Ruwaih stressed that Gulf Housing Week seeks to encourage public-private partnerships, promote innovative and sustainable housing initiatives, and contribute to the development of integrated, safe residential environments for GCC citizens. A series of panel sessions will take place over three days, covering topics such as real estate development prospects in Kuwait, public-private partnerships in PAHW projects, and financing strategies for sustainable housing. Discussions will also address smart applications in Gulf housing projects, technological innovations, and solutions to housing challenges faced by the region. — KUNA

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