KUWAIT CITY, Feb 24: The Tourism Enterprises Company (TEC) has launched the second phase of the waterfront beautification project, extending over a distance of five kilometers from the Green Island to the Yacht Club in Salmiya. This coincided with the National Day and Liberation Day celebrations. Present at the launching ceremony were sponsor of the ceremony and Capital Governor Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of TEC Hamoud Jassim Al-Falah, acting Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Hassan Al-Jaafar, and representatives of TEC and the companies investing along the waterfront. Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al- Ali Al-Sabah praised the Waterfront Project (Phase Two); stressing that it will boost the local economy by attracting tourists in general. He disclosed there is follow up and anticipation of the development projects that are being implemented until 2035, while a package of future projects will be launched soon. He affirmed that the Waterfront Project is distinguished by its support for sports activities in Kuwait City, as it provides the infrastructure for those wishing to engage in various sports. Al-Falah pointed out that the opening of the second phase of the waterfront project reflects the company’s commitment to implementing tourism and entertainment projects in line with the aspirations of citizens, expatriates and visitors.

“We are working hard to enhance Kuwait’s position as a distinguished tourist destination by developing integrated and modern facilities that meet everyone’s needs, in line with Kuwait Vision 2035,” he revealed. He added that the project contributes to supporting the local economy by attracting more visitors and activating the hospitality and services sector, as well as providing promising investment opportunities for local and international institutions. He said the project represents a qualitative addition to the tourism scene in Kuwait, as “we were keen to design the second phase under the highest standards of sustainability and quality. Environmental and sustainability elements were taken into account in all stages of implementation, starting from the use of clean energy to the adoption of modern technologies in managing facilities and infrastructure.” Operations Manager of TEC Eng. Sami Al-Zanki stated that the second phase of the marine destination project, which extends for about 10 kilometers, includes entertainment services, operational services like restaurants, and facilities that serve all segments of Kuwaiti society. He confirmed that TEC aims to develop tourist and entertainment places and facilities for entertainment and domestic tourism. He added that “after this phase, we have a direction to develop and renovate marine clubs along the marine destination, such as the Marine Yacht Club, People’s Marine Club, and Swimming Pools Complex.

These projects will be a qualitative shift for TEC in its future projects and will be developed by the private sector over the next four years.” He affirmed the project has been completed 100 percent and some comments have been submitted to the contractor to fulfill them, explaining that there is about a year to address these comments and that the project was received on February 2022 at an estimated cost of KD 14.700 million. Project Engineer Mohammad Al-Mughmas stressed that the project was implemented according to designs that facilitate the public’s access to walking areas and various sports. He said the project facilitated all means for people of determination and people with special needs -- parking lots or special paths for them. He added that the waterfront project was designed according to the highest specifications and standards, explaining that the project is divided into two phases -- the first from Kuwait Towers to Green Island and the second from Green Island to the Yacht Club. He disclosed that the first phase was opened in February 2024, followed by the second phase in February 2025. It is worth noting that the waterfront is one of the most prominent tourist and entertainment destinations in the State of Kuwait and is divided into two phases: the first phase starts from the Kuwait Towers to the Green Island and was opened in February 2024, and the second phase starts from the Green Island to the People’s Mosque.

The project also includes 12.4 kilometers of jogging tracks and dedicated bicycle path extending 15.4 km along the waterfront. The company paid special attention to sustainability elements, as it replaced all traditional lighting poles with solar-powered ones and added 40 electric car charging stations from the famous Dutch brand ALFEN, distributed in strategic locations within the project, in addition to renovating 4,000 parking spaces, which contributes to facilitating access and providing a comfortable and convenient experience for all visitors. TEC worked hard to rehabilitate the beaches as multi-use spaces to host events throughout the year, as well as reviving the natural landscape in the area by removing the Conacarpus trees that are harmful to the infrastructure and replacing them with new trees and plants that are suitable for the climate of the State of Kuwait. It added distinctive artistic touches to the waterfront, including artworks that refl ect Kuwait’s culture and ecosystem, in addition to installing dedicated benches, columns, barriers and signage throughout the site. The project also includes models of ships inspired by Japanese art (origami) in the shape of the Kuwaiti currency, while displaying the name ‘Kuwait’ in both Arabic and English

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff