The Minister of Public Works, Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, signed today, Sunday, a contract for the study, design, and pre-execution services to complete the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project between the Ministry and the China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), a Chinese government-owned company under the Ministry of Transport of China, nominated by the government of the People's Republic of China.  

This comes in accordance with Decree-Law No. 155 of 2024, which approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the State of Kuwait and the People's Republic of China regarding cooperation in the construction of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and its attached protocol, as well as Decree-Law No. 22 of 2025, which transfers the jurisdiction and financial allocations for the completion, management, and operation of the port to the Ministry of Public Works, following all necessary approvals from regulatory authorities.  

The government contract was signed by Minister Al-Mashaan on behalf of the government of the State of Kuwait, while the Chinese side was represented by the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chinese company, Chen Rong, and the accompanying high-level Chinese government delegation.  

The signing was attended by the Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, member and rapporteur of the Supreme Committee for Monitoring the Executive Status of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed between the governments of the two countries, Ambassador Sameeh Johar Hayat. Also present were the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works, Eid Al-Rashidi, senior officials from the Ministries of Public Works and Foreign Affairs, the head and members of the technical committee and engineers from the Ministry of Public Works, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the State of Kuwait, Zhang Jianwei, the head of the Chinese Commercial Office, Hu Hongmian, and members of the Chinese Embassy.  

In a press statement on the occasion, Minister Al-Mashaan stated that the project aims to establish a commercial port in the State of Kuwait to serve as a regional transportation hub within the strategic transformation vision of New Kuwait 2035. This vision seeks to develop the northern region as an integrated economic and urban system, based on a comprehensive and integrated developmental approach that takes into account all economic and urban aspects.  

She added that the project will significantly contribute to diversifying and increasing the gross domestic product (GDP) and restoring Kuwait's regional commercial and financial role. The Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on Bubiyan Island is one of the main pillars of this development.  

She emphasized that the project will help expand economic and commercial activities in the field of exports and imports, ensure the necessary resources to boost the GDP, and continue economic prosperity and growth, elevating the country's role to the highest levels of efficiency in managing the development process.  

Dr. Al-Mashaan noted that the port will provide a vast array of commercial opportunities, professional development, and job opportunities for citizens by creating various types of jobs essential for the success of the port, both during the establishment and construction phases and during operation and production.  

She stated that the completion of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project is a top priority for the political leadership, following the directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God protect and bless him, and with the primary support of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, may God protect him, and His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, may God protect him. She affirmed their continuous and unlimited support for this project, which will be a cornerstone of advanced infrastructure within the New Kuwait 2035 plan.  

She considered the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project as a development and reconstruction initiative for Bubiyan Island, serving as a developmental goal for commercial investments, housing, and tourism projects, in line with the vision to utilize the island's unique location and natural features.  

Minister Al-Mashaan stressed that the methodology of communication and consultation between the Kuwaiti and Chinese leaderships "has become effective, important, and ongoing with solid steps towards the peak."  

She pointed out the importance of elevating practical cooperation between the two countries and its continuity, noting that the Chinese leadership views Kuwait as a key strategic partner in all political, economic, commercial, and investment fields.  

For his part, Ambassador Hayat stated that the atmosphere of the meeting and discussions between the two sides was characterized by frank realism, strategic understanding, and alignment of views on all levels.  

He affirmed that the discussions took place in a spirit of deep seriousness and the long-standing historical friendship with China regarding expanding bilateral relations in all fields, with China actively participating in achieving the vision of His Highness the Amir to transform Kuwait into a global financial and commercial hub.  

He mentioned that Minister Al-Mashaan closely observed during the discussions the high level of interest and commitment from senior Chinese officials in supporting Kuwait's economic development strategy and providing a favorable climate for attracting direct investments from China. He added that China is prepared to work with all relevant Kuwaiti government entities under a unified vision to implement core strategies for sustainable growth, ensuring the realization of the visions of His Highness the Amir.  

Ambassador Hayat added that this will undoubtedly reflect on production and export rates, thereby increasing the contribution of industry to the national income. He noted that China will continue to send high-level technical delegations to visit the country to discuss all details related to mega development projects.