Projects worth KD 18b to be launched in '10
KUWAIT CITY - Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing/Development Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al Sabah Monday inaugurated the 13th Housing Exhibition also held under his auspices at Arraya Ballroom of Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
The exhibition, organized by United Marketing and Organizing Exhibitions in cooperation with the Kuwait Society of Engineers, brings together under one roof suppliers of building materials, contractors, finishing and décor companies, housing services that includes credit and finance, investment, engineering supervision and real estate consulting.
The event is being sponsored by the Public Authority for Housing Care, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Electricity and Water, Kuwait Municipality, Mohammed Abdul Mohsin Al-Kharafi & Sons, National Industries Co, Sadeem General Trading & Contracting Co, Platform Building Materials, Asian Building Material Group Ceramics Ras Al-Khaima, Arabian Gulf Holding Co, Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries Co, Marafie Engineering Group, ALUSOL Rolling Shutter Industries, British Link-Kuwait Group, Al-Ghanim Specialties Co and Lajean Metal Factory.
In his statement to the press, Sheikh Ahmad said that fresh development projects would be launched in 2010 at a total cost of KD 18 billion ($62 billion). "The coming stage would be that of building and construction based on the state development plan in all domains, and 2010 will be the year of projects starting with the signing of housing projects in the new Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad and Saad Al-Abdullah cities together with other housing areas in the country, he added.
He also noted that cost of housing projects to be carried out next year would be in the vicinity of KD 600 million, aimed mainly at providing the largest possible number of housing units to citizens. "The government," he said, "is eager to allow the private sector to get involved in the new housing projects in the country.
He also disclosed that a new company would soon be established to oversee the erection of low-cost houses, making it certain the government and the National Assembly will be closely working together for the purpose.
Sheikh Ahmad further disclosed that Sheikh Jaber Bridge and Boubyan Port are also on the list of new projects that will be signed for execution next year to cost KD 300 billion, and added that eight new hospitals would also be built in 2010.
Other participating companies include: Building Technology Co, Intelligent Technologies Co, Awtad Real Estate Co, Gulf Systems Co, Shortek General Trading & Contracting Co, Alia Al Sayegh Engineering Consultants, Kuwait Designer Center, Al-Zamil Water Tanks, Al Baha'a Gen Trading & Contracting Co, Top Door Co, Kuwait Cement Co, Al-Dousari Works Group, Burgan Bank, National Engineering for Gen Trading & Contracting., Gulf Aluminum Co, Tima Pools Co, Liteform Technologies.
Al-Ghazeer Carpentry Co, Ducting & Services Co (DASCO), Carpet Land Gen Trading, SAS Centre Co, Jawhart Al Memer Est. Co, National Co-Al Kharafi, Swimming Pool Centre, Kuwait British Ready Mix Co, Insulating Materials Plant (ISOFOAM),Aluminum Industries Co, Agencies Division, Equipment Co, Forgex General Trading & Contracting, Inco Lab Trust, Alwan Al Baraka Sipes Paint, Gulf Bank, SAAC Architectural Consultants, and Aya Plant International Co.
The 13th Housing Exhibition is being held from Dec 21 until Dec 24 at the Arraya Ballroom, Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Sharq.
© Arab Times 2009
