IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname

IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname
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IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname

IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname

The Islamic Development Bank's (IsDB) Board of Executive Directors approved the allocation of $368.98 million for new development projects in several member countries.

In its 356th regular meeting held on Saturday, chaired by IsDB Chairman Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, the Board approved funding for development projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname.

These strategic projects aim to boost sustainable development and socio-economic growth in the member countries.

Al Jasser emphasized the importance of the approved projects and their transformative impacts on improving sectors such as transportation, health, education, and energy in the targeted countries.

The IsDB allocated $165 million for constructing schools in Türkiye following the devastating 2023 earthquakes. This initiative will involve the construction of 33 schools and the addition of 808 classrooms, benefiting 24,640 students annually and bolstering resilience for over 319,206 individuals against disasters.

Suriname will benefit from $47.68 million for a project to expand electricity transmission and distribution systems in the country.

The project aims to strengthen electricity supply capacity and efficiency by increasing overall capacity and enhancing system performance. It will meet growing national electricity demand, ensure a more reliable energy supply, and facilitate the connection of 4,350 new homes and 470 new commercial units.

Turkmenistan will boost access to high-quality cancer treatment services with $156.3 million in funding from the IsDB.

The project includes constructing three cancer treatment centers and training healthcare providers. It aims to increase daily inpatient services by 33% and improve cancer treatment for 11,750 patients annually, significantly reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates.



Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
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Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)

Mohammad Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for Business Development at Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), announced that Kuwait is actively working to boost investments in emerging sectors such as the management of government facilities, hospitals, and ports, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

He added that his country is collaborating with Saudi Arabia on joint projects, notably the development of a railway linking the two nations.

Speaking at the 28th Annual Global Investment Conference in Riyadh, Yaqoub highlighted the 650-kilometer railway project, which is expected to cut travel time between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to under three hours. He clarified that this initiative is separate from the broader GCC railway network under development.

The official further emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to offering streamlined processes and incentives to attract foreign investment in critical sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, and technology.

Since January 2015, the Gulf country has attracted cumulative foreign investments valued at approximately 1.7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($5.8 billion). During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, KDIPA reported foreign investment inflows amounting to 206.9 million Kuwaiti dinars ($672 million).

Yaqoub stressed that KDIPA is focused on creating an investor-friendly environment by offering flexible incentives to attract international companies. He noted Saudi Arabia’s achievements in this area and highlighted his country’s efforts to provide comparable benefits to foreign investors.

He also expressed optimism about the potential for growth in foreign investments in Kuwait, emphasizing their role in advancing economic development in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yaqoub also underscored the strong synergy between the Kuwaiti and Saudi markets, which he said will help accelerate economic progress across the region.