CONSTRUCTION RENAISSANCE
TBY talks to Eng. Awatef Soliman al-Ghoneim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), on extensive development plans across sectors and in collaboration with other countries.
BIOGRAPHY
Eng. Awatef Soliman al-Ghoneim has been Undersecretary at the Ministry of Public Works since 2014. After having served the Ministry of Public Works in several other capacities, she worked as Chief En-gineer of the Sanitary Engineering Sector from 2001 to 2004. In 2008 she was appointed to the post of Assistant Undersecretary of the Government Center of Testing, Quality Control and Research. In 2013 she moved to the position of Assistant Undersecretary Sanitary Engineering Sector, after which she was assigned to her current designation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Ku-wait University.How do you assess the contribution of MPW to the comprehensive development of Kuwait?
MPW endeavors to achieve comprehensive development in various vital fields in the country. Our strategic plan, Public Works 2035, includes the launch of several projects that will have great benefits in several fields. These projects are diverse and have multiple beneficiaries, such as the Ministry of Education, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Department of Marine Transport, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, and other ministries, institutions, and authorities. One of the most important strategic objectives of MPW is the construction and completion of the new terminal of Kuwait International Airport. This project increases the capacity of the airport to 25 million passengers annually in the first phase. It also meets the highest standards of generating and preserving sustainable energy. Another significant transport project is the upgrade and development of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port. This project is deemed to be the cornerstone of the marine transport system and the development plans of the entire northern area of the country. With the completion of these two strategic projects, Kuwait will witness a qualitative leap in the field of transport, which is considered to be the main momentum of development. MPW also has strategic plans to complete the establishment of a number of health facilities. As education is one of our strategic objectives, we completed the construction of the headquarters of the Ministry of Education in South Surra, an architectural masterpiece that embodies the idea of the boom—a traditional Arab sailing vessel—being part of the Kuwaiti heritage. MPW has also designed three complexes of special schools in three different areas in the country with an eye to provide integrated care, education, and special-needs training. The strategic objectives of MPW do not stop at that; it has further expanded to other areas such as the construction of the main headquarters of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, which will soon be completed and stand as a distinguished architectural landmark reflecting the civilized nature of Islamic art. Another of MPW's strategic objectives is to renew, develop, and upgrade sewerage networks all over the country, alongside the construction of several wastewater treatment plants. This takes us to one of the most strategic goals of MPW, which is the preservation of the land and sea ecosystems in Kuwait to protect the environment and mitigate the negative impacts of floods.
How does MPW seek cooperation with other countries in the spheres of transport and infrastructure?
MPW cooperates with other countries through concluding a number of protocols, agreements, and MoUs. Over the course of the past few years, MPW has closed partnerships with ministries and governments from around the world. In 2014, the MPW signed an MoU with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, around the development of infrastructure, sewage water treatment, harbors, and the safety and conservation of the environment. An MoU was signed between the governments of Kuwait and Spain for bilateral cooperation in the field of transportation infrastructure. An MoU was also signed with Hungary, and we are currently preparing a visit of an MPW delegation headed by myself to Hungary to examine the potential cooperation opportunities in the field of public building constructions, sanitary engineering projects, and logistic services through acquiring expertise and developing work in a way that achieves the best interests of both parties. Finally, a cooperation agreement in the field of construction and transport infrastructure with France is about to be activated and put into force. There is also coordination, cooperation, and participation via several joint committees with a number of countries in which MPW suggests proposals, topics, and visions in the field of infrastructure development, sanitary engineering, construction projects, harbors, maintenance, and the like.
CONSTRUCTION RENAISSANCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Guest Speaker
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu,, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Turkey
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Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)
TBY talks to Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Director General of Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), on progress thus far, as well as continuing efforts for the year ahead.
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Dr. Khaled A. Mahdi, Secretary General , Supreme Council for Planning and Development
TBY talks to Dr. Khaled A. Mahdi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, on progress in Kuwait's National Development Plan, investing in human capital, and supporting SMEs.
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Potential for Revolution
The "New Kuwait" 2035 Development Plan was announced in January 2017 with the goal of revolutionizing Kuwait's economy in the next 20 years, diversifying it and making it competitive on the world stage. But revolutions do not come easy.
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Abdullah Hamad Al-Jouan, Chairman & President, The National Fund for Small & Medium Enterprise Development (National Fund)
TBY talks to Abdullah Hamad Al-Jouan, Chairman & President of The National Fund for Small & Medium Enterprise Development (National Fund), on increasing support for SMEs, technology overhaul, and sectors with potential.
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Dr. Osamah A. Alsayegh, Executive Director , Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC)
TBY talks to Dr. Osamah A. Alsayegh, Executive Director of the Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), on increasing renewable energy generation capacity, improving energy security, and striving to align KISR with national development plans.
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Bakheet Al-Rashid, former President & CEO , Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI)
TBY talks to Bakheet Al-Rashidi, former President & CEO of Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI), on the company's successful operations in the past year, its investment plans, and opportunities in the sector.
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Ibrahim Al-Musaiteer, Deputy CEO, Administration and Finance at Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC)
TBY talks to Ibrahim Al-Musaiteer, Deputy CEO of Administration and Finance at Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), on its contributions to add value to Kuwait's hydrocarbons.
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Qusai Al Shatti, Deputy Director General, Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT)
TBY talks to Qusai Al Shatti, Deputy Director General of the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), on implementing e-government initiatives, measuring progress, maintaining security.
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Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA)
TBY talks to Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA), on the Kuwait Logistics City Project, plans to increase capacity, and digitalization.
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The Costs of Living
Kuwait's health infrastructure and workforce is relatively small, while major health problems have arisen over the past decades. The state is still the dominant force in health expenditure, but private-sector participation is the key to expanding the healthcare sector.
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Ahmad Yousef Al Kandari, Vice Chairman & CEO , United Facilities Management (UFM)
TBY talks to Ahmad Yousef Al Kandari, Vice Chairman & CEO of United Facilities Management (UFM), on weathering the storm, freeing up client potential, and laying the groundwork for successful organizational structure.
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Ali Hussein Al-Yoha, Secretary General, National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL)
TBY talks to Ali Hussein Al-Yoha, Secretary General of National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL), on protecting Kuwaiti folklore, encouraging investment in cultural tourism, and bringing the benefits of culture to every Kuwaiti's doorstep.
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Rana A. Al Nibari, General Manager, The Scientific Center Kuwait (TSCK)
TBY talks to Rana A. Al Nibari, General Manager of The Scientific Center Kuwait (TSCK), on rousing people's curiosity for science and technology, connecting with students and their families, and encouraging sustainability.
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