Work will soon start on the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port development in Kuwait following the approval from the State Audit Bureau allocating funds worth KD1.2 billion ($3.9 billion) to carry out engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the first phase of the project, reported Kuwait Times.

This go-ahead from the Bureau will soon pave the way for the implementation of the remaining phases.

The contract for the next phase is expected to be signed next week.

The project is one of seven agreements Kuwait had signed with China, making it the first of these major initiatives to move forward, said the report.

Once completed, the port will turn into a major regional transportation hub aligning with Kuwait Vision 2035 and supporting the development of the northern region as an integrated economic and urban system, said the report.

It is expected to diversify the economy, boost GDP, and restore Kuwait’s regional trading prominence, boosting commercial and export-import activities, it added.

For the Phase I, the scope of work includes laying of infrastructure, excavation and dredging work as well as equipment and services.

It involves construction of modern docks, container yards, buildings and essential facilities as well as deepening the port basin and navigation channel to accommodate large vessels.