22/05/2026 03:26 AST
In a landmark move to advance Kuwait's digital economy, the Ministry of Communications, the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP), and Bahrain-based Beyon signed a KD 825 million ($2.69 billion) agreement to develop the country's fixed telecommunications network under a 50 year public-private partnership.
Minister of State for Communication Affairs and Acting Minister of Information and Culture Omar Al-Omar said Thursday the fixed telecommunications network development project is among Kuwait's largest strategic partnerships in digital infrastructure.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Al-Omar said investments in the project exceed KD 825 million (about $2.69 billion) aimed at building sustainable and modern digital infrastructure. The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Communications, Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP), and Bahrain-based Beyon, selected as the winning investor for the project. Al-Omar said the project represents a long-term national investment supporting Kuwait's digital future, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, smart cities and a knowledge-based economy aligned with the New Kuwait 2035 vision.
Al-Omar emphasized that the agreement marks a pivotal step in building a modern communications network to support Kuwait's digital economy and readiness for future technological transformations. He noted that the project establishes strategic infrastructure as the backbone of future digital services, including cloud computing, AI applications, and advanced government services.
He added that the project will serve as the backbone for future government services, economic sectors and technology investments while supporting a more diversified and competitive economy. The minister said the project carries important economic and development dimensions through creating specialized jobs for Kuwaiti nationals and enabling citizens to participate in future public share offerings of the project company.
Al-Omar thanked the Ministry of Finance, KAPP and technical, legal and advisory teams for their efforts, welcoming Beyon as a strategic partner with regional expertise in telecommunications and digital infrastructure management.
For her part, Acting KAPP Director General Asma Al-Mousa described the project as a major step in Kuwait's digital transformation and infrastructure development based on international standards and specifications.
Al-Mousa said the project represents a successful new partnership model supporting the digital economy through attracting investments and benefiting from operational expertise to provide advanced technological infrastructure. She noted that at least 65 percent of jobs in the project company will be allocated to Kuwaiti nationals, while 50 percent of company shares will be offered for public subscription to Kuwaiti citizens.
Chairman of Beyon Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa said the project is a strategic pillar supporting Kuwait's New Kuwait 2035 vision and accelerating digital transformation efforts. Al-Khalifa said that what Kuwait is witnessing today embodies the growth and prosperity that has been achieved per the directives of the wise leaders of the two countries, contributing to advancing development in various vital sectors. He explained that Beyon has extensive experience in fiber-optic network projects across Bahrain, Jordan, the Maldives and the Channel Islands, providing services to more than 2.2 million residential units.
Al-Khalifa expressed pride in partnering with Kuwait, underscoring the deep ties between the two countries. He affirmed Beyon's commitment to leveraging its technical and operational expertise to build a world-class national network that supports Kuwait's future aspirations and strengthens its position as a regional hub for technology and innovation.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Communications by Acting Undersecretary Engineer Meshal Al-Zaid and by Al-Mousa for KAPP. The signing ceremony was attended by Finance Minister Dr Yaqoub Al-Refaei, Chairman of the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority Khaled Al-Zamel, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Communication Eng Mishal Al-Zaid and Bahrain Ambassador to Kuwait Salah Al-Malki.
Prof Dr Al-Refaei highlighted the project's strategic importance, reflecting the success of the PPP model in attracting long-term, high impact investments. He stressed that the initiative combines economic and technical dimensions, enabling private sector participation in developing and operating vital national assets.
Eng Mishal Al-Zaid described the project as a comprehensive re-engineering of Kuwait's fixed network, moving to an independent, professional infrastructure capable of meeting digital growth demands for decades. He noted that Beyon was selected after a rigorous evaluation process, citing the company's extensive expertise in fiber optic networks and structural separation models.
KUNA
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