A study will be finalised this year into the creation of a new authority which will oversee the development of the GCC rail network.
Speaking at the opening of the Middle East Rail exhibition and conference in Dubai, HE Rihan Al Fayez, Chief of Economic Department, The Cooperation Council For The Arab States Of The Gulf, said a study into a General Directorate for the development of the Gulf region’s rail network would be concluded in 2015.
The total length of the GCC railway is estimated to be 2,117 km, from Kuwait, passing through Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ending in Oman.
The project will celebrate a milestone this year in the UAE with the start of operations on the first phase of the UAE’s national rail network.
HE Dr Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime, Ministry Of Public Works, UAE, (pictured) who officially opened the ninth annual Middle East Rail conference, said the role of the railway was gradually growing in importance in the Gulf region.
He said the development of the railway would enhance the trade and commercial interests of the region as well as bringing social benefits.
HE Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Al Twaijry, Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs, League of Arab States, felt the main goal of the event was to ‘reach an answer’ as to how to operate a freight and passenger rail service that is safe and efficient at the same time.
