Kuwait’s projects market demonstrated resilient stability during the latest review period, with the total value of active and planned projects reaching approximately $240 billion, according to the latest MEED Gulf Projects Index covering the period from May 15 to June 19, 2026.
The figures represent a modest growth of 0.2 percent compared to the previous reporting cycle, positioning Kuwait as the fifth-largest projects market in the Gulf, narrowly trailing Qatar, whose projects portfolio stood at $241 billion.
The latest MEED data highlighted continued momentum across the regional infrastructure and development sector, with the Gulf projects market expanding for the 15th consecutive month. During the reporting period, the index added nearly $66 billion in new project activity, pushing the total value of projects across the GCC and wider region to approximately $5.08 trillion.
Regional growth during the period stood at 1.3 percent, largely consistent with the pace recorded in the previous month, underscoring sustained investor confidence and ongoing government-backed infrastructure spending despite global economic uncertainties.
The United Arab Emirates and Oman emerged as the strongest-performing Gulf markets during the period. The UAE posted growth of 2.8 percent after adding new projects worth $37 billion, bringing the total value of its project market to $1.35 trillion.
The UAE’s expansion was driven primarily by progress in ADNOC Offshore’s contract packages linked to the long-term development of the Umm Shaif field, alongside the launch of design works for “The Yards” project within Dubai’s Madinat Al Arab master development by Beyond Real Estate Development.
Oman also recorded robust performance, with its projects market growing by 3 percent and adding nearly $10 billion in value to reach a total of $360 billion. The growth was supported by the advancement of Oman India Fertilizer Company’s one billion rial ammonia and urea plant expansion project into the study phase.
Additional momentum in Oman came from the launch of two major projects by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones in Duqm, including an integrated industrial complex valued at 498 million rials and a tourism and commercial development worth 480 million rials.
Beyond the GCC, Iraq posted the region’s strongest absolute gains, adding approximately $12 billion in new projects and expanding its total project market to $429 billion, reflecting growth of 2.8 percent. The increase was supported by the North Oil Company’s integrated “Ajil” field development project entering the study phase with an estimated value of $3 billion.
Iran also registered notable expansion, with its projects market rising by 5.5 percent to reach $243 billion, while Qatar’s index increased by 1.9 percent, bringing its total projects portfolio to $241 billion.
In contrast, Saudi Arabia was the only Gulf market to record a contraction during the reporting period, with its project market declining by 0.5 percent, equivalent to a reduction of nearly $10 billion, leaving the Kingdom’s total projects portfolio at approximately $2.16 trillion.
Despite the mixed regional performance, Kuwait and Bahrain maintained relatively stable market conditions, reflecting cautious but steady progress in infrastructure, energy, and development activity across both economies.
