Kuwait signs $4.1 billion deal with China to build port

KUWAIT CITY

This handout picture released by the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA shows Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah (R) and Kuwaiti minister of public works Nora al-Mashaan attending the contract signing ceremony between Kuwait and the China State Construction and Communications Corporation Limited for the study, design, and provision of pre-implementation services to complete the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on Boubyan island, north of Kuwait City on Dec. 22, 2025.

Kuwait has signed a deal worth $4.1 billion with China to complete the construction of a major port, as the oil-rich country seeks to diversify its economy with a bigger role in global trade.

The State Audit Bureau, a government oversight body responsible for monitoring public funds, on Monday said "the engineering, procurement, and construction contract to complete the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project will cost 1.28 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($4.164 billion)".

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah attended the "ceremony for inking the engineering-supply-construction contract for building Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on Boubyan island," state media reported.

He said the key project would "enhance Kuwait's share in the regional and international trade and global supply chain".

Chinese acting charge d'affaires Liu Xiang said the deal "constitutes participation in the 'belt and road' initiative".

In 2023, Kuwait signed seven memoranda of understanding with China on projects including the Mubarak al-Kabeer Port, as well as housing, water treatment and renewable energy.

China has been focusing on the Middle East as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, a vast global infrastructure project developed over the last decade under President Xi Jinping.