KUWAIT CITY : Kuwait has unveiled one of the most ambitious economic transformation drives in its history, announcing a sweeping package of 124 megaprojects valued at KD 10 billion (USD 32.6 billion) under the New Kuwait 2035 Vision. The programme promises to generate 50,000 new jobs, diversify state revenues, and reposition the country as a serious player in the Gulf’s megaproject race.

A bold play in the Gulf’s development contest
For years, Kuwait has watched its Gulf neighbors — Saudi Arabia with Vision 2030, the UAE with Dubai 2040 Master Plan and Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, and Qatar with its smart city and infrastructure expansion — roll out multibillion-dollar projects that captured global attention. Now, Kuwait is stepping forward with a plan that is no less ambitious.

Officials estimate the megaprojects will deliver KD 1 billion (USD 3.26 billion) in annual revenue by 2030, while reducing government spending by as much as 30% through public–private partnerships. The move is also designed to reduce reliance on oil, a structural challenge that has long dominated Kuwait’s fiscal debates.

Jobs at the heart of Vision 2035
While investment figures make the headlines, what truly stands out in Kuwait’s 2035 roadmap is the focus on job creation. With 50,000 new roles expected across sectors — from infrastructure and logistics to renewable energy, industrial zones, and smart cities — the plan is being positioned as a generational opportunity to empower Kuwaiti youth and strengthen the private sector workforce.

Officials stress that local talent will be central to delivery, with capacity-building and upskilling programmes set to run in parallel with project execution. This comes as Gulf states intensify their nationalization drives, pushing citizens into private sector roles traditionally dominated by expatriates.

Among the headline initiatives is the long-awaited Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, a strategic gateway project where execution contracts have been signed and work is already moving ahead. Alongside it are investments in smart cities, digital infrastructure, renewable energy grids, and transport hubs.

Kuwait is also embedding sustainability at the heart of its megaprojects. Initiatives include large-scale afforestation, ecosystem rehabilitation, and land reclamation, reflecting the dual commitment to economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Strategically, the government has strengthened cooperation with China, holding 22 high-level meetings to fast-track contracts and clear bottlenecks, while also expanding partnerships with Japan across petrochemicals, renewables, and trade.

Kuwait’s announcement comes at a time when Gulf economies are competing to attract capital, talent, and attention from global investors. While Saudi Arabia has been building futuristic cities like NEOM and the UAE continues to dominate global finance and tourism, Kuwait’s 2035 plan seeks to carve its own niche — leveraging its geopolitical position, educated workforce, and untapped investment potential.

If delivered, analysts believe the plan could rebalance Kuwait’s oil-dependent economy and create a more diversified, future-ready state. But success will hinge on political stability, speed of implementation, and the ability to keep pace with the region’s megaproject giants.

For Kuwait, Vision 2035 is more than a reform blueprint — it is a statement of intent. The $32 billion investment and 50,000 jobs promise to transform not only infrastructure and industry but also the social contract between the state and its citizens.

As one senior official put it: “These projects are not just about steel and concrete. They are about building opportunities for Kuwaitis and creating an economy that will stand for generations.”

With the Gulf megaproject race heating up, Kuwait has thrown down its marker. The next decade will determine whether Vision 2035 is remembered as the country’s bold leap forward — or a missed opportunity in a region that never slows down.

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