This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 10/30/2018

Overview

Kuwait’s infrastructure sector is expected to grow by 15-20 percent as a result of the government’s current five-year plan (2015-2020). The development plan focuses on economic reform and implementation of several long-stalled mega projects, with several large infrastructure projects estimated at $124 billion. The five-year plan includes a number of infrastructure upgrades, along with the USD 2.6 billion Sheikh Jaber Causeway, which will link the Shuwaikh port area in the south with planned cities in the north that are in development, the USD 7 billion Kuwait City Metro; a rail project that will eventually link all GCC countries; a USD 4 billion new airport; five new planned cities including Silk City; further development of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on Boubyan Island; and a large number of mega oil projects, including a new refinery.  The government is working on over USD 4 billion worth of hospital projects as part of its plan to boost the bed capacity of hospitals across the country. The Ministry of Health’s operating budget is projected to reach about $18 billion by 2030. There are also plans to increase power generation capacity in the country.  
 
The rising demand for public housing is expected to drive long-term residential construction growth, with the Public Authority for Housing and Welfare announcing plans to build 174,000 housing units by 2020. The government also plans to employ a public-private partnership model to deliver public housing, including 11,000 units under the Sabah Al-Ahmad project, which will house up to 100,000 people upon completion. The South Al-Mutlaa City project is in its initial infrastructure development phase and, in five years, 28,000 families should be housed.
 
Project implementation has seen frequent delays, especially with large infrastructure projects. The government itself acknowledged that only 19 percent of the 2010-2014 five-year development plans were executed. However, previous impediments were factored into the 2015-2020 development plan, and positive signs of progress are being shown.
 

Opportunities

The five-year 2015-2020 commercial and residential construction plans offers opportunities for the full range of U.S. building products and construction equipment. Local construction companies apply U.S. building techniques and technologies, and use American building materials and equipment for private development projects ranging from resorts to hospitals. The United States continues to lead as a supplier of construction materials and equipment.
 

Major Ongoing Projects:
  • Jaber Al-Ahmed City
  • South Saad Al-Abdulla New Town
  • Sabah Al-Ahmed Housing Project
  • Al-Kiran City
  • Al-Ahmadi New City
  • Sulaibikhat Residential City 
  • Jahra Housing Scheme
  • South Mutlaa Housing Project 
  • Kuwait Labor City Development
  • Silk City
  • Sabah Al-Salem Educational City 
  • South Sabah Al-Ahmed Sea City
  • Nawaf Al-Ahmed City
  • PAAET Educational Complex
  • Burj Mubarak Al-Kabir
  • Hessa Al-Mubarak Project – An upscale residential and office complex 
  • Mubarak Al-Kabir Port
  • Kuwait City Metro 
  • GCC Railway
  • New Terminal Building at Kuwait International Airport
  • Hospitals
  • Motor Town Racing Circuit
Source: Timetric Report on “Construction in Kuwait – Key Trends and Opportunities to 2017”
 
The U.S. Commercial Service in Kuwait promotes and hosts buyer delegations to the following shows:  

Web Resources

For additional information on building and construction equipment, please contact Commercial Specialist Xavier Muthu at Xavier.Muthu@trade.gov.
 
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.