KUWAIT: Kuwait’s public procurement system was in the spotlight Wednesday as officials reviewed reforms aimed at speeding up major development projects. The 44th meeting of the ministerial committee overseeing the country’s large-scale projects, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, discussed enhancing government contracting procedures to improve oversight, accountability and efficiency.
Chairman of the Central Agency for Public Tenders, Essam Dawood Al-Marzouq, outlined initiatives designed to strengthen oversight across all stages of government contracting. The plans include standardizing technical specifications, speeding up tender procedures and adopting modern systems to raise the quality and efficiency of projects in line with international best practices. “These reforms aim to remove obstacles in implementing agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between Kuwait and other countries, ensuring smoother execution of major development initiatives,” said Sameeh Jawhar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs and committee member.
Al-Marzouq has informed Cabinet of similar reforms in October 2025. Key proposals at the time included prioritizing local products without breaching regional agreements and extending contract penalties to company founders for non-performance.
The meeting also reviewed progress on key infrastructure and development projects, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, the national electricity network, renewable energy, low-carbon waste recycling, housing and urban development, environmental infrastructure, free zones, economic zones and desertification control. Sheikh Ahmad emphasized that these projects remain a top national priority.
He urged the committee to adopt a practical, priority-driven approach and to enhance coordination among ministries and government agencies. “This ensures accurate decision-making, faster resolutions, and high-quality outcomes, facilitating a smooth transition from design to implementation, operation and maintenance,” Sheikh Ahmad said. He stressed the importance of monitoring performance indicators and adhering strictly to project timelines under the national vision led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Attending the meeting were Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Public Works Minister Dr Noura Al-Mashaan, State Minister for Municipality and Housing Affairs Abdullatif Al-Meshari, Acting Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Khalid Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, and CEO of the Kuwait Investment Authority Sheikh Saoud Salem Al-Sabah, among other senior officials. — Agencies
