Accelerating the Implementation of 7 Agreements Between Kuwait and China
Kuwait continues to advance the transformation of its strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China, launched through seven agreements signed on September 22, 2023, into a tangible operational reality, dedicating a new phase of comprehensive bilateral developmental cooperation to implement vital projects across the country. The North Kabd Water Treatment Plant project, for which Kuwait held a signing ceremony for its construction and operation contract last week, is the second agreement to enter into force among the projects stemming from the memoranda of understanding between the two friendly nations. These developments come as a continuation of a developmental trajectory that has begun to manifest on the ground across multiple strategic sectors covered by the memoranda of understanding signed by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, when he was Crown Prince, during his visit to China in September 2023 with President Xi Jinping. These sectors include energy, housing, environment, free zones, alongside the strategic Port of Mubarak Al-Kabir project.
The North Kabd Water Treatment Plant project represents the latest operational step within a series of rapid measures aimed at enhancing infrastructure quality and promoting environmental sustainability, in addition to improving the efficiency of the wastewater treatment system to keep pace with the country’s urban growth and support the achievement of sustainable development goals and Kuwait’s future vision. Within this rapid developmental path, the governments of Kuwait and China signed the Framework Agreement for Technical Arrangements last March, which includes all technical details for joint cooperation in the field of renewable energy, in light of the high directives from the country’s senior political leadership to accelerate the pace of implementing major developmental projects with Beijing. The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the State Administration of Energy in Beijing, capping intensive negotiations that lasted approximately six months to establish a practical roadmap accelerating renewable energy projects for the Third and Fourth Shagaya zones and the Abdali project.
Kuwait and China’s wills converged to strongly push for the swift implementation of these agreements, reflecting both countries’ firm resolve to elevate the level of bilateral cooperation and intensify meetings aimed at overcoming obstacles and accelerating implementation. These bilateral meetings reflect a shared consensus on expanding the horizons of bilateral relations in the coming phase, particularly regarding support for Kuwait’s strategy for economic development and providing a suitable climate to attract direct investments. The signing of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to complete the Port of Mubarak Al-Kabir project last December marked a significant step in Kuwait’s developmental path and a pioneering act of constructive cooperation and practical translation of the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the governments of Kuwait and China. The project constitutes an economic edifice and a service and logistics hub that contributes to developing maritime transport infrastructure, enhancing the operational capacity and absorption capability of the national ports network, and improving operational efficiency according to the latest international standards, in addition to linking the port to regional and international maritime trade and transport networks.
Kuwait and China took initial steps for the Port of Mubarak Al-Kabir through cooperation with China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), a state-owned enterprise under the Chinese Ministry of Transport, based on a Kuwaiti Cabinet decision in January 2025 approving and accepting the nomination submitted by the Chinese government to proceed with direct contracting with the Chinese company to execute, manage, and operate the project in all its phases. The Cabinet paved the way for the nomination decision by approving a draft law decree regarding the memorandum of understanding between the governments of Kuwait and China concerning the port and its attached protocol, in December 2024. The draft law entered into force upon its publication in the official journal (Kuwait Al-Yaum) in January 2025, specifying the contents of cooperation agreed upon by both parties, the implementing entities for the memorandum from both sides, and stipulating the establishment of a joint working group, organizing mutual visits, and exchanging recommendations related to the project.
In mid-February last year, Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan signed the contract for study, design, and pre-execution services to complete the Port of Mubarak Al-Kabir project, with contract implementation commencing on March 16, 2025. The Cabinet had formed a committee in February 2024 to monitor agreements and memoranda of understanding concluded with China, holding dozens of meetings aimed at transitioning signed agreements into actual implementation. The committee’s efforts since its formation have contributed to accelerating coordination and consultation with the Chinese side, intensifying technical visits, overcoming obstacles to projects, setting plans and priorities, and supporting relevant ministries and government agencies in implementing memoranda of understanding. Furthermore, a series of successive meetings of the Ministerial Committee for Monitoring Major Development Projects in the country emphasized the importance of continuing appropriate evaluation and legal and technical reviews of all projects. The committee is concerned with monitoring all details of reports and updates from relevant government agencies regarding the implementation procedures of developmental projects, in addition to stimulating the wheel of joint economic and investment cooperation with several governments.
