KUWAIT: Kuwait has invited local and international companies to bid on contracts for three major housing cities, marking the first projects under recently amended housing legislation.

The developments, covering more than three million square meters, come as Kuwait seeks to ease a long-standing housing shortage for its 1.5 million citizens. About 100,000 people remain on the government’s housing waiting list, with some families waiting more than 17 years for a home.

The projects are being implemented under Decree Law No 89 of 2025, which amends key provisions of the 2023 legislation that first established a framework for private-sector participation in residential city development. The amendment gives the government greater flexibility in project structure, allows a wider variety of housing options—such as apartments, duplexes, villas, and gated communities—and introduces a financial safeguard ensuring that once the government commits funding, it cannot change that amount.

“The new law is designed to unlock private capital, accelerate housing delivery and improve the financial sustainability of state-backed development,” the explanatory note said.

Contracts for the three cities — Al-Mutla’a City, East Saad Al-Abdullah City, and West Saad Al-Abdullah City, all north and west of Kuwait City — will run 30 years, including a four-year construction period. They cover design, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and sale of residential units. Non-residential assets will revert to the government at the end of each contract.

Investors, whether Kuwaiti or foreign, will hold 26 percent to 49 percent of each project, government entities 6 percent to 24 percent, and the remainder will be offered to citizens via public subscription. Companies must have at least ten years of experience in large-scale residential or mixed-use projects to qualify.

KUWAIT: Senior officials from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia met Sunday to reaffirm their close ties and coordinate on regional security. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah welcomed Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef at Bayan Palace. The prince brought greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wishing the Crown Prince good health and prosperity for Kuwait.

In return, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled sent his greetings to the Saudi leadership, wishing “further development and prosperity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people under the wise leadership of King Salman.” His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also met Prince Abdulaziz, reviewing ways to strengthen strategic partnership and joint initiatives between the two countries.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef tours a special exhibition highlighting Kuwait’s security sector’s key achievements. – KUNA photos

KUWAIT: Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah welcomes Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef at Bayan Palace.

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah meets Prince Abdulaziz.

Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef and Prince Abdulaziz interact with officials representing the INTERPOL during their tour.

Meanwhile, First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah held official talks with Prince Abdulaziz on security cooperation, including coordination on regional and international challenges. The Ministry of Interior said both sides “confirmed the strength of fraternal ties and their shared commitment to security integration for the stability for the two peoples and the region.”

During the visit, Prince Abdulaziz toured Kuwait’s criminal security sector and a special exhibition highlighting its key achievements. Officials said the meetings reflect a “shared aim of deepening close cooperation, expanding the horizons of partnership and supporting collective Gulf efforts to strengthen regional security.” — KUNA

KUWAIT: A new report from the Public Authority for Housing Welfare provides an update on the status of several key housing projects, detailing the contracts signed and progress made during the month of August. The information offers a look into the ongoing efforts to develop new residential areas.

Contracts signed in August

The Authority signed six new contracts for construction and supervision, including for infrastructure, consulting services and utilities. Infrastructure contracts include those to build infrastructure and public buildings in the N6 and N7 districts of Al-Mutla’a residential city. Consulting contracts include agreements for the management and supervision of constructing 60 apartment buildings in the Sabah Al-Ahmad residential area. Utilities contracts include for the supply and installation of electrical cables for three main substations in the Sabah Al-Ahmad investment district.

Projects’ status

The report provides specific completion percentages for major projects. In South Saad Al-Abdullah, the main road contract is 43.5 percent complete. Three separate infrastructure contracts have also begun, with progress ranging from 0.73 percent to 1.19 percent.

In South Sabah Al-Ahmad, the main road contract has reached 62.45 percent completion. Other infrastructure contracts are advancing, with one at 25.1 percent and another at 15.7 percent completion.

The report also noted that the authority is monitoring the construction of 200 public buildings across various housing developments. The official statement from the authority highlights that many of these projects are progressing ahead of their scheduled timelines.