GCC states sign landmark agreement to advance Gulf railway project

Dubai: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations inked a landmark pact in Bahrain on Sunday to propel a major railway initiative connecting all six member states under a unified regional network. This significant move aims to bolster transport connectivity and economic integration throughout the Gulf. The General Agreement for the GCC Railway Project was inked at Al Riffa Palace during the 31st gathering of the GCC Ministerial Committee on Transport and Communications.

The signing ceremony was attended by Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, and transport and communications ministers from the six GCC states.

The agreement lays out a framework for constructing and managing an integrated railway network that will join the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Its four main pillars are project execution, technical integration, coordination, and regional connectivity, with the goal of ensuring smooth railway operations across national borders.

Albudaiwi hailed the agreement as a crucial step in cementing Gulf integration in the transport sector and establishing a harmonized railway transit system across GCC countries. He affirmed that the pact will bolster the creation and operation of a single, unified, and compatible regional railway network, enhancing cross-border mobility and facilitating the exchange of passengers and cargo among member states.

Expressing gratitude to the leaders of the six Gulf countries for their ongoing backing of joint Gulf endeavors and their directives to advance strategic projects advantageous to the region and its populace, Albudaiwi commended the efforts of national teams and the Gulf Railway Authority in advancing the project. He underscored the project's importance in advancing regional economic development and collective prosperity.

The railway project is anticipated to fortify transport links between GCC nations, simplify cross-border movement, and cultivate economic cooperation by furnishing an integrated regional transport framework. Albudaiwi emphasized that the project embodies the GCC's dedication to constructing a more interconnected transport network, capable of fostering sustainable economic expansion and fulfilling the expectations of Gulf residents.