Kuwait climbs GCC rankings with $1.92 billion in Q1 contract awards

• The largest contract in Kuwait was awarded to the PAHW, which signed three deals worth a combined $847 million. These include infrastructure works in South Saad Al-Abdullah City, with $557 million awarded to a Chinese company and $290 million to another firm for local treatment plants.

Kuwait is experiencing strong growth in project implementation in the first quarter of this year, signaling renewed momentum in economic development, reported Arabic daily Al Anba.

According to MEED magazine, Kuwait awarded contracts worth around $1.92 billion during this period, placing fifth in the GCC with a 4.33% share of total regional project awards. This surge highlights an accelerated pace in infrastructure, housing, port, and energy projects, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing its development agenda and boosting economic activity.

The Public Authority for Housing Welfare led all government agencies in signed contracts, particularly for development projects in South Saad Al-Abdullah City, with notable participation from Chinese companies.

Major deals also included the second phase of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and oil facility development projects under the build-operate-own (BOO) model, highlighting the diversity of Kuwait’s project portfolio and its wide network of international partnerships. These developments affirm Kuwait’s ability to attract strategic investments and deliver high-value projects.

January recorded the highest value of contract awards, representing 62.6% of the quarterly total, or $1.2 billion—signaling a strong start to the year. February followed with $616 million in contracts (32%), while March saw $104 million in awards, accounting for 5.4% of the total in the first quarter of 2025.

According to MEED, the largest contract in Kuwait was awarded to the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW), which signed three deals worth a combined $847 million. These include infrastructure works in South Saad Al-Abdullah City, with $557 million awarded to a Chinese company and $290 million to another firm for local treatment plants.

In February, the largest contract, worth $425 million, was awarded by the Ministry of Public Works to Chennai Communications Constructions for the second phase of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project. In March, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) signed contracts totaling $104 million to develop separation facilities at Gathering Center 25 and a water injection facility at Gathering Center 30. Both projects follow the build-operate-own (BOO) model.

At the Gulf level, MEED reported that GCC countries awarded project contracts worth $44.41 billion during the first quarter of 2025. January led with $17.46 billion, followed by February with $16.24 billion, and March with $10.7 billion.

UAE signed contracts worth $19.26 billion

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) topped the list with $19.26 billion in contract awards, representing 43.3% of the total, followed by Saudi Arabia with $15.94 billion (35.9%). Qatar ranked third with $4.88 billion (11%), while Oman came fourth with $1.99 billion (4.5%).

Bahrain ranked sixth, with project awards amounting to $204 million, accounting for 0.46% of the total by the end of March.