Transport
From The Report: Kuwait 2017
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Driven by measured government-backed investments, and in spite of the downward pressure from oil prices, the Kuwait transportation sector continued to grow in 2016-17. Improving connectivity regionally and globally – via air, land and sea links – is viewed as a state priority and a promising mechanism to drive non-oil economic growth. In support of government objectives, such as enhancing local and regional integration, boosting trade volume and creating new job opportunities, several major infrastructure projects are under way in the country, including the expansion of Kuwait International Airport and the construction of the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah Causeway. These fall under the KD34bn ($112.5bn) Kuwait Development Plan 2015-20 framework, which aims to push through major economic reforms, implement a pipeline of bold projects to empower the private sector, and establish Kuwait as a regional trade and financial centre by 2035.

This chapter contains an interview with Sami Fahad Al Rushaid, Chairman, Kuwait Airways.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Progress in transit: Development plans pave the way for Kuwait’s promising future as a strong trade centre
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Driven by measured government-backed investments, despite the downward pressure from oil prices, the Kuwait transportation sector continued to grow in 2016-17. Improving connectivity regionally and globally – via air, land and sea links – is viewed as a state priority and a promising mechanism to drive non-oil economic growth. In support of government objectives, such as enhancing local and regional integration, boosting trade volume and creating new job opportunities, several major…

Interview

Soaring expectations: Sami Fahad Al Rushaid, Chairman, Kuwait Airways, on cooperation, climate change and cultivating a competitive edge
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Interview: Sami Fahad Al Rushaid What are the market trends on strategic alliances? SAMI FAHAD AL RUSHAID: Most airlines are open to opportunities that strengthen their bottom line; this may be more acute in times when the airline and aviation industry as a whole feels that cooperation, rather than direct competition, serves both short and long-term goals. Many airlines are looking at their alliances, while exploring the possibility of expanding their portfolio of agreements with other carriers…

Analysis

Vision to action: The sector is making solid progress towards its long-term goals
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Kuwait is investing in a significant pipeline of major infrastructure projects and transportation programmes connected to the Kuwait Development Plan 2015-20. The country’s most recent 2016-17 spending plan earmarks roughly $15.6bn for infrastructure projects across the housing, transport, electricity, ports, aviation, telecommunications and renewable energy sectors. The government will contribute 49.3% of investments, the state-owned oil sector will cover around 33.8% of spending, and…