Top Chinese construction company seeks to bolster partnership in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Heading toward modernization of Kuwait in line with Kuwait Vision 2035, many foreign companies have come forward in participating in the development programs of the country. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Middle East is one of the pioneering companies that opened its first overseas office in Kuwait in late 1970s.
The China State Construction Engineering Corporation is the largest construction company in the world by revenue and the 14th largest general contractor in terms of overseas sales as of 2016.

Li Biao, Deputy General Manager of CSCEC, said that the company was in charge of various construction projects in Kuwait, which in turn add to the success of Kuwaiti-Chinese partnership.

Biao told the Kuwait Times that CSCEC appreciates the level of cooperation it enjoys in the State of Kuwait. He said the company is eager to bolster its ties further to contribute to various development plans, the Kuwait Vision 2035 and China's Belt and Road initiative.
He affirmed the achievements made by CSCEC, stressing that it played an integral role in aiding Kuwait to realize its development vision under the supervision of the Kuwaiti leadership.

"CSCEC was in charge of various construction projects in Kuwait, which in turn adds to the success of Kuwaiti-Chinese partnership. It has started in 2006 with the construction of the Central Bank of Kuwait's (CBK) headquarters along with various projects. CSCEC is also involved in the Kuwait University Shadadiya campus project and other endeavors within the infrastructure and housing domains," he added.
He noted that after His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's visit to China, the CSCEC was registered with Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), which was a great step toward more cooperation between China and Kuwait.

Biao said that Kuwait is developing fast, but he suggested that the procedures need to be easier for contractors to get involved in projects faster. "China provides adequate support to our clients and addresses their needs in achieving their business objectives in the market. I noticed some improvements in Kuwait during our project implementation for the Kuwait University. They have begun to minimize the procedures of payments which helped the contractor a lot. But certain other procedures still remain complicated and not easy to get through, " he suggested.

In 2016, The Headquarters Building Project of the Central Bank of Kuwait received top honors for projects excellence at the 2016 MEED Quality Awards for Projects. Also, the Corporation was awarded the contract to construct the project of Construction, Completion, Operation and Maintenance for Administration Facilities--Sabah Al-Salem University City- Kuwait University by Kuwait Central Tenders Committee.

The project consists of seven buildings, with distinct and unique shape, such as Administration Building, Grand Mosque, Cultural Centre, Convocation Hall, Conference Centre, University Library and Visitor Centre, etc. The Administration Facilities, creatively designed, functionally serves as the main gateway to the university city. It is characterized by light lacy screens creating a very harmonious and interactive dramatic effect.

The CSCEC was founded in 1957 as a state company. Earlier, the company had an international profile building heavy industry and infrastructure in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It has over 100 bureaus globally.

China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East) (L.L.C) is an integrated part and one of the major overseas operational entities of China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC), whose shares are traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

In the Middle East Region, CSCEC is one of the region's largest construction groups with offices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The company's regional Headquarters are located in Dubai UAE. China State Construction Engineering Corporation is the world's largest transnational multidisciplinary conglomerate in the field of civil and industrial engineering as well as real estate development, and the No 1 home builder in the world. In 2016, CSCEC ranked top 27 on the list of Fortune Global 500 companies. By this ranking, CSCEC has realized its strategic target set in the company's "13th Five-Year" Plan ahead of schedule.

"With great support from our parent company, we are actively seeking opportunities for alternative/innovative forms of contract including Project Investment, Project Financing, EPC and Design & Build projects," he said.

"We are dedicated to providing a one-stop service for all elements of the construction process from planning, design, construction to operation and maintenance. To achieve our goals, I am supported by a strong team of dedicated and experienced staff and skilled workforce working in our region and site offices already established in the Middle East. For the future challenges, we should be firm, strong-willed and spare no effort to diversify our business model and improve the efficiency of the operation to meet our aim to be one of the most competitive international contractors in the Middle East," he concluded.

By Faten Omar