KUWAIT, Jan 8 (KUNA) -- A project to develop Kuwait's "green island" is tantamount to a step towards propelling national tourism to greater levels, Information Minister Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi said on Thursday, citing the initiative as aiming to boost the allure of Kuwait as a tourism hotspot.
The project enjoys the firm backing of Kuwait's political leaders, chief among them His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the minister told a visual presentation to unveil the project that is expected to be a catalyst towards tourism development and growth, subsequently transforming Kuwait into a beguiling destination for foreign tourists.
He went to say that his ministry is working in line with a "vision" based on state-wide collaboration and cooperation between the public and private sectors, at a time where the nation is pushing forward economic diversification efforts in a bid to keep national development and prosperity on an upward trajectory, the minister underlined.
The minister spoke of the recently-launched "Visit Kuwait" platform that aims to familiarize visitors with the most prominent Kuwaiti landmarks and tourist destinations, hailing the initiative as a success story in light of a rampant digital drive across state bodies, he added.
Describing Kuwait's "green island" as among the marquee tourism spots in Kuwait, Tourism Projects Company's chief executive Anwar Al-Hulaila spoke of the history behind this particular destination, having been the Gulf Arab region's first ever industrial island since its inception back in 1988.
The project to develop Kuwait's green island is an effort to further engage the private sector in national development plans, allowing it the chance to contribute towards major projects that seek to usher in growth in the nation's tourism industry, said the official.
On the partnership between the public and private sectors, he said it formed an integral component of national development plans and economic diversification efforts, subsequently "reinforcing" Kuwait's position as a promising tourist destination while simultaneously luring greater foreign investment.
Addressing the presentation, the deputy chairman and chief executive of local real state firm "Abaad," Khaled Al-Marzouq said that the green island stands the test of time as an emblem of Kuwaiti tourism through the years, in addition to being a focal point of public and private sector cooperation, he explained.
Renovation work carried out on the island will introduce new facilities and upgrade existential ones in a manner that "respects" and preserves the history of Kuwait's green island, he emphasized. (end) mdm.nam