Newspapers have lately been filled with news and reports about the state’s increasing efforts to strengthen cooperation with China on infrastructure and major development projects. There is no doubt that such news brings joy to anyone who loves their country.
China has proven to be a global economic partner with industrial and technological capabilities that cannot be underestimated.
However, what will remain for Kuwait after these projects are completed? Will we be content with inauguration photos, press releases, and a few contract records, or will we succeed in turning these agreements into a real opportunity to build a stronger local industrial base? Kuwait is not lacking in industry, as some might think. We have factories producing metals, petrochemicals, building materials, and electrical products.
Our national workforce includes approximately 11,000 Kuwaitis, contributing an added value of KD 1.8 billion. Many of these factories operate below their actual capacity. We have an excess of factories that could contribute significantly to state projects instead of being sidelined. The greatest risk does not lie in cooperation with China itself, but in the fact that this cooperation often ignores Kuwaiti manufacturers, both individuals and companies, despite their financial strength and extensive expertise.
Relying on foreign factories could harm local industry and eliminate job opportunities that would benefit citizens. This approach risks increasing dependence on foreign investment rather than promoting self-sufficiency.
What we need today is integration. Chinese companies should bring their capabilities, but in partnership with our national factories. Local industry must be given the chance to be part of the supply chain and to benefit from their accumulated expertise. By doing so, we create real added value, accelerate project implementation, reduce costs, and build a balanced and sustainable economy. Kuwait needs a clear industrial vision, not just international agreements. Local factories can provide accurate data on their production capabilities and capacities, enabling them to participate directly in major projects, either independently or in partnership with foreign collaborators.
Cooperation with China presents a golden opportunity, but it can also be a double-edged sword. We can either use it to build a strong local industry or settle for being mere consumers of projects led by others, leaving us to question what remains for us.
This is an important issue that requires the attention of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Public Authority for Industry, especially in light of recent restrictions on the disposal of industrial plots and the suspension of their development. In addition, the revocation of citizenship from some former industrialists has added further uncertainty to the overall situation. By Ahmad alsarraf email: [email protected]
