Kuwait to fund Bahraini projects

Kuwait has offered to fund several key infrastructure development projects in the Bahraini Kingdom, in a deal expected to be worth $273 million.

The Bahraini government [2] has entered into an agreement with Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) whereby two key projects in the Kingdom will be part funded by the Kuwaiti authorities. [3]

According to a Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) report, the projects are upgrade of power network and establishment of a centre for people with special needs.

Nawaf Al-Mehmel, KFAED's legal advisor and head of the fund delegation, said in a statement to KUNA that boosting power of the electrical network by 400 kilo-watts was a key project.

The project, including installment of land and marine cables and construction of three relay stations in various regions [4], is designed to minimize recurring outages and facilitate linkup of the local network with the GCC grid, said Al-Mehmel.

Cost of updating the Bahraini power installations is estimated at $800million, with contributions from the other GCC countries. Kuwait is paying $250m. Its execution is forecast to finish in three years. [5]

Regarding the other venture, Mr. Al-Mehmel said an integrated complex would be built for the handicapped, at a cost of $23m. It will encompass wards for medical care, habilitation, physical and psychological therapy.

Kuwait is funding bing investment projects in Bahrain