Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) is still evaluating the prequalification applications submitted by developers for the  five public-private partnership (PPP) projects at Jaber al-Ahmad and Sabah al-Ahmad cities.

The client received the prequalification documents on 17 September.

The evaluation process was expected to take a few weeks, to be followed by the release of request for proposals (RFP) before the end of 2017.

According to a source familiar with the schemes, the tender is not likely to be released until early 2018.

The prequalified companies will bid for the contract to design, finance, construct, operate, manage and maintain three schemes in Jaber al-Ahmad City and two schemes at Sabah al-Ahmad Cities.

The schemes at Jaber al-Ahmad City include:

• Residential units (for sale), retails shops, restaurants and parking
• Business centre, retail units, restaurants and park
• Residential units (for lease), retail shops and park

The investment opportunities at Sabah al-Ahmad City include:

• Residential units for lease, retail units, kids club and park
• Industrial area for light or medium industries, workshops for repair services and storage areas. The package includes the construction of four government buildings and labour accommodation

Sabah Al-Ahmad City is being developed on a 4,000-hectare land located approximately 65km south of Kuwait city. It is envisaged to accommodate over 2,000 villas and a similar number of apartments as well as 52 schools and 70 mosques upon completion.

Jaber al-Ahmad City is relatively smaller and is being developed on a 1,245-hectare property some 22km west of Kuwait City.

PAHW has appointed Lebanon’s Dar al-Handasah as technical adviser for the project. UK-based consultancy PWC/Strategy& is financial adviser while local Al-Markaz Law Firm is legal adviser.