Interview:Dheeraj Bhardwaj, Group CEO, City Group How is investment in infrastructure impacting overall road capacity and efficiency? DHEERAJ BHARDWAJ: Investment in road infrastructure is playing a significant role in transforming Kuwait’s transport network. By focusing on the modernisation of existing roads and the development of new infrastructure, the country can directly address…
The strengthening of Kuwait’s transport and logistics sector is central to the government’s overall diversification drive, as it underpins activity across the economy. Major infrastructure developments are taking place throughout the sector with more in the pipeline, as the relevant authorities and entities work to boost passenger and freight capacities. Action is being taken to resolve operational…
With the announcement of high-profile railway projects in 2023, Kuwait has taken significant steps towards improving its internal and external transport infrastructure. While fluctuations in oil prices could potentially pose challenges moving forwards, positive political and economic dynamics in and around the Gulf region bode well for Kuwait’s plans. Connecting Kuwait In January 2023 the Public…
With electric vehicles (EVs) set to become more accessible to drivers around the world – and solid growth trends attracting public and private investment – several emerging markets are looking to expand their EV manufacturing capacity. EV uptake is essential to the global energy transition, as transport remains the industry with the highest reliance on fossil fuels, producing an estimated 37% of…
The strengthening of Kuwait’s transport and logistics sector is central to the government’s overall diversification drive, as it underpins activity across the economy. Major infrastructure developments are taking place throughout the sector with more in the pipeline, as the relevant authorities and entities work to boost passenger and freight capacities. Some projects have stalled in recent years…
High global oil prices have enabled Kuwait to maintain a trade surplus despite the domestic political changes observed in recent years, measuring a GDP growth of 8.9% in 2022. Although 2023 saw the country’s GDP contract by 0.6% amid global headwinds, diversification efforts guided by New Kuwait 2035, new infrastructure developments in and beyond the hydrocarbons sector, and a push for privatisa
Interview:Maen Mahmoud Razouqi How can national carriers in the Gulf capitalise on opportunities stemming from emerging dynamics in the global travel industry? MAEN MAHMOUD RAZOUQI: Although 43 airlines around the world have declared bankruptcy since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the overall outlook for the industry is positive. The industry expects that by 2035 passenger numbers will double from…
Under its overarching economic development plan, New Kuwait 2035, Kuwait’s government is working to strategically harness the country’s location on the Gulf to transform its transport and logistics industries into key contributors to GDP. Several significant upgrades to existing transport infrastructure are at an advanced stage, while a new logistics belt is a key component of the Madinat Al Hareer,…
In July 2021 Kuwait Port Authority (KPA) announced plans to establish a series of logistics cities on recently acquired land adjacent to several major ports across the country. The project is expected to be completed by 2025 at an investment of $400m. The proposed cities would be located on a combined area of 1.9m sq metres around Doha Port – with the new facility spanning 270,000 sq metres to the…
Following delays, the long-awaited GCC Railway looks likely to be revitalised – a move that could transform trade and connectivity across the Gulf. The initiative was given a significant boost in December 2021 when leaders of the six GCC countries approved the establishment of the GCC Railways Authority, the body that will oversee the coordination of the project. The decision marks a potentially…
