Materializing 2035 vision inevitable: Diwan Minister
Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah AlAhmad Al-Sabah underlined inevitability of materializing vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the New Kuwait 2035, especially in regards to islands and Silk City projects. This came during a public panel organized by Kuwait Journalists’ Association at Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah last night.
Highlighting vitality of both projects to local economy, opening vistas of cooperation with world countries and maintaining regional security, Sheikh Nasser, also head of the team tasked with activating the 2035 vision, said the islands’ project stemmed from the region’s geography and strategic position.
This project would also contribute to helping other countries improve their respective infrastructure and facilities, as well as sea trade, he said, signaling out Iran and Iraq as important regional countries to Kuwait. The north of the Gulf area would turn into an exceptional free trade zone; a fertile environment to attract investments, he noted, pointing out that that Kuwait was, and still, enjoys a “port culture” all the way back when it was a stop for mail delivery to Basra in 1775.
He added that Kuwait is fully ready to cooperate with Iraq and Iran on all levels with a view to developing regional economy and trade, as well as achieving peace. In this vein, Sheikh Nasser pointed out, “We are in good terms with our brothers in Iraq in this regard,” adding that Kuwait’s Mubarak Port and Iraq’s Faw Port would “cooperate not compete.” He also revealed that he recently met with Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Ali Enayati, during which the possibility of Tehran’s contribution to the islands’ project was discussed.
Meanwhile, member of general policies and administrative development committee at the Supreme Council for Planning Adnan Al-Bahar said the Hong Kong-simulated islands’ project will be under Kuwait’s sovereignty, yet legislatively, financially and administratively independent.
The ambitious projects are anticipated to bring about an economic and trade shift in Kuwait that will in turn would contribute to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s vision of transforming Kuwait into an international financial and trade hub. The projects are also part of the state’s 2017 developmental plan of five objectives and seven pillars through 164 projects, 30 of which deemed strategic.