KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) organized an on-site visit to Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification Project to review work progress in this landmark tourism and entertainment project spanning an area of 1.7 km, three months after starting construction works.
The visitors were headed by Noura Al-Mashaan, Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, and Isam Al-Sager, Group Vice-Chairman and CEO of National Bank of Kuwait. During the tour, the visitors reviewed the progress made since starting the project’s construction works in early May, as work is underway, with the entire project set to be completed within 11 months, by the end of March 2025, after which Shuwaikh Beach will be ready to welcome visitors with its new look.
It is worth mentioning that NBK signed a cooperation agreement with Kuwait Municipality, under which the bank committed KD 3 million for the development and renovation of Shuwaikh Beachfront to serve all visitors’ needs, with a focus on providing high quality and highly efficient modern facilities, in a way that fosters sustainable health, sports and entertainment in Kuwait.
“This project aligns with the Municipality’s strategy to partner with all development stakeholders in a way that serves New Kuwait vision 2035,” said Mashaan. Mashaan praised NBK’s generous donation for this vital project. She explained that the Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification Project comes within the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to develop seafronts in Kuwait in order to serve the well-being of its visitors from local citizens and residents, as well as external visitors.
“This visit aims to review work progress in Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification Project, which stands out as a model for fostering Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Kuwait,” CEO Al-Sager said. “NBK’s contribution to this project comes within its efforts to promote sustainable development of Kuwait’s economy, and to serve the implementation of New Kuwait vision 2035, which underscores the importance of developing tourism and entertainment sector in the country. This initiative also reflects our ongoing fostering of Kuwait’s climate action plan, in line with the country’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060.”
The project includes four integrated main areas providing all the needs of beachgoers, while being eco-friendly to help reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact, reflecting NBK’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability on the one hand, and pioneering corporate social responsibility on the other hand.
The visitors also included Maysa Boushahri, Deputy Director General for Projects Sector Affairs at Kuwait Municipality, and Amina Hamada, Head of the Municipality’s Shuwaikh Beach Project Management and Supervision team, and team members. NBK’s attendees also included Ezzat Hallal, General Manager - Engineering Services, Ahmed Assi, AGM - Engineering Services, and Talal Al-Turki, Executive Manager, Head of Public Relations and Event Management.
NBK is committed to supporting Kuwait’s national initiative to promote environmental, social and economic prosperity, in line with the country’s recent pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060 by progressing towards its environmental goals and supporting the banking sector’s endeavors to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free economy.
Project areas
The Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification Project consists of four areas. Area 1 includes playgrounds and entertainment areas, as well as a large green areas allowing for outdoor activities, in addition to restoration of the mosque, restrooms, and commercial kiosks within the project. The area also includes future work sites for a number of kiosks, ATMs and ITMs. Area 2 includes an extended sandy beach area with wooden benches in the middle. Area 3 includes a walled garden with green landscape and dense trees providing large, shaded areas for relaxation and meditation amidst serene atmosphere. Area 4 includes the project’s starting point and interactive giant checkers game, in addition to large green spaces that allow for outdoor activities and multi-use spaces.
Project management team
Kuwait Municipality’s team of engineers assigned to manage and supervise Shuwaikh Beach Development and Beautification Project is headed by Amina Hamada, and includes members: Khaled Abdul-Latif Al-Kandari, Sarah Al-Qahs, Iman Al-Kandari, Ahmed Al-Enezi, Hessa Al-Sanea, and Rawa’a Al-Radwan.