Kuwait has completed the initial studies on its ambitious metro project, which is estimated to cost KD1 billion ($3.3 billion), according to a report.

Work on the project, which is likely to see strong private participation, will begin in 2018 and is scheduled to be completed by 2023, reported Arab Times, citing a senior official.

Member of the board of directors at the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation Mohammed Al Hediba said a tender for consultancy firms will be raised within two months and the winning firm will oversee the evaluation of technical offers essential to the project.

The metro system was vital for the future of Kuwait, and also a key factor that will contribute to solving the traffic issue in the country, he added.