KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: The Ministry of Public Works has announced a direct contracting approach for road repair and maintenance contracts, eliminating the need for a local agent.

In response to an inquiry concerning the presence of a local agent for six out of seven foreign companies, Eid Al-Rashidi, the MPW Undersecretary, confirmed that contracts will be directly concluded with the invited companies. He indicated that, in collaboration with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), some of the invited companies either have a local branch in accordance with KDIPA's regulations or have contacted the Authority to establish local branches, reports Al-Rai daily.

An official memorandum has disclosed that the financial estimates allocated for ten road maintenance contracts across all regions, as approved by the Ministry of Finance, amount to 390 million dinars (equivalent to $1.25 billion.

The allocation is distributed as follows:

• 39.27 million dinars for the radical maintenance of Capital Governorate roads
• 39 million dinars for the maintenance of Hawalli Governorate roads
• 47 million dinars for Farwaniya Governorate
• 37.3 million dinars for Jahra Governorate roads
• 65,401,000 dinars for Al-Ahmadi Governorate roads
• 42.1 million dinars for Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate roads

Additionally, an additional 20 million dinars are allocated for the management, operation, and maintenance of Jaber Bridge, with 35 million dinars for the maintenance of roads, bridges, and drainage networks in the northern region, 35 million dinars for the central region, and 30 million dinars for the southern region.

In a response to questions by Members of Parliament Marzouk Al-Habini and Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, the Ministry affirmed adherence to the estimated value approved by the Ministry of Finance and stated that 36 companies were nominated by their respective embassies through diplomatic channels. These nominations were based on the companies' previous experience and compatibility with the nature and scope of road works. The Ministry also confirmed the completion of procedures for offering practices.