Kuwait inaugurates gigantic causeway to free trade hub

The Gulf country inaugurated one of the world's longest causeways, connecting the country's capital to an uninhabited border region planned to become a major free trade zone.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab & agencies

01 May, 2019

The bridge connects the capital, Kuwait City, to the northern desert region of Subbiya. [Getty]

Kuwait inaugurated on Wednesday one of the world's longest causeways, connecting the country's capital to an unpopulated border region planned to become a major free trade zone.

The 36-kilometre bridge connects the capital, Kuwait City, to the northern desert region of Subbiya, where the oil-rich country aims to set up the "Silk City" project linking the Gulf to central Asia and Europe.

Three-quarters of the "Jaber" bridge, named after late ruler Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, stretch over water.

The bridge cuts the driving time between the capital and Subbiya, neighboring both Iraq and Iran, from one and a half hours to less than 30 minutes.

Investment in the Silk City project is expected, according to experts, to top $100 billion, with a 5,000-megawatt power plant has already been built in Subbiya.

The $3.6 billion causeway was designed by the France-based engineering and consulting group Systra and it took five years to complete.

The work was carried out by an umbrella group led by South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. together with Kuwait's Combined Group Contracting Co.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon as well as the leader of the French senate, Gerard Larcher.

The Korean official said on Wednesday the bridge would establish Kuwait as an international trade centre.

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