KUWAIT, Nov 25 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Acting Minister of Finance, and Acting Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Dr. Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem said on Tuesday that the 10th anniversary of the General Electric (GE) Vernova Technology Center in Kuwait reflects the strength of bilateral strategic cooperation and its role in supporting Kuwait Vision 2035.
Speaking at a ceremony held by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and GE Vernova under the sponsorship and in the presence of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, he said Kuwait's long-term development priorities, as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP), depend on deep integration between academia, research, and industry to build a diversified, sustainable, knowledge based economy.
The training center within the facility has already helped upskill 1,500 engineers from around the world, equipping young and experienced Kuwaiti and foreign professionals with highly specialized skills in power generation, he noted.
This, he added, has also created jobs and directly supports the human capital goals of Kuwait Vision 2035.
The site's engineering center is a leading platform for technology services and drives innovation, mainly in Kuwait's energy sector, Al-Mukhaizeem explained.
It is GE Vernova's only center worldwide that can quickly and accurately simulate complex turbine control issues.
Meanwhile, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for GE Vernova's Gas Power business across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Joseph Anis said GE Vernova has been a strategic partner to Kuwait's energy sector for 50 years.
The 10th anniversary of the company's technology center in Kuwait crowns this long-standing cooperation and symbolizes a strategic partnership with the State in advancing local innovation and building national capabilities to support the country's energy transition, he added.
The center, with its global reach and strong local capabilities, is a major driver in strengthening Kuwait's position as a leading regional and international hub for advanced energy solutions, Anis said.
Its role, he underlined, goes beyond technical work to active engagement in the local community through comprehensive social responsibility programs.
These include strategic partnerships with universities, training and qualification programs for promising talent, educational field visits for students, and a range of community initiatives.
The center regularly organizes specialized engineering competitions to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), directly helping to build the capacities of Kuwaiti youth and promote a culture of innovation, making it a national platform for preparing future leaders in the energy and technology sectors, he mentioned.
The center was established in 2015 as a cornerstone in supporting the transformation of the energy sector.
It spans 6,000 square meters and houses advanced training, equipment, and engineering facilities operated by a distinguished team of Kuwaiti professionals.
It is the first site of its kind outside the US and reflects GE Vernova's long-term commitment to Kuwait, its people, and the wider region.
It also supports KDIPA's goals of drawing in foreign direct investment that accelerates technology transfer and skills development. (end) km.lr