Kuwait has signed a $4.1 billion agreement with China to complete the construction of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, a flagship infrastructure project aimed at boosting the country’s role in regional and global trade. The deal reflects Kuwait’s broader efforts to diversify its oil-dependent economy.
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The State Audit Bureau announced that the engineering, procurement, and construction contract will cost 1.28 billion Kuwaiti dinars, equivalent to about $4.16 billion. The project will be carried out by a Chinese state-owned construction firm under a comprehensive implementation framework.
The signing ceremony was attended by Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, alongside senior government officials and representatives of the Chinese company. State media reported that the port will be built on Boubyan Island, north of Kuwait City.
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Speaking at the event, the prime minister said the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port would significantly enhance Kuwait’s position in regional and international trade. He added that the project would strengthen the country’s integration into global supply chains and support long-term economic growth.
China’s acting chargé d’affaires in Kuwait, Liu Xiang, described the agreement as part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative focuses on expanding global infrastructure and trade connectivity across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Kuwait and China have steadily deepened economic cooperation in recent years. In 2023, the two countries signed seven memoranda of understanding covering projects in ports, housing, water treatment, and renewable energy development.
The Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port is expected to serve as a key logistics hub linking the Gulf region with international markets. Once completed, it is projected to improve cargo handling capacity and attract foreign investment into Kuwait’s transport and trade sectors.
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Officials see the port as a cornerstone of Kuwait’s economic diversification plans, aligning with national development goals to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. The project also underscores China’s growing presence in the Middle East through large-scale infrastructure partnerships.