21 March 2011
MUSCAT: The GCC countries are forging ahead with railway projects worth around $106.2 billion, a new research has revealed.
"The rail and transit market has never been stronger in the Middle East," said Tom Topolski, vice-president of Transportation Middle East for AECOM.
"The rapid industrialisation of the region has created significant freight rail opportunities."
Major regional railway developments underway include Oman's National Freight and Passenger Railway valued at $10 billion.
Saudi Arabia has a total of 23 projects valued at $25.6 billion, including the $6 billion Makkah-Madina Railway Link, which is currently under tender for construction.
Qatar too is investing heavily in its transport infrastructure in preparation for the 2022 Football World Cup. The $25 billion Qatar National Rail Scheme will link to the GCC Railway network, the $30-billion 2,200-km system that will connect all six GCC states by 2017.
In the UAE, eight railway projects valued at $20.6 billion are underway, including the $11 billion Emirates Railway Project on which construction begins in the middle of this year.
The latest figures highlight enormous opportunities for suppliers of construction products.
Other regional railway projects include Kuwait's National Rail Road Network and Metro System worth a combined $17 billion, and Bahrain's Rapid Transport Network at $8 billion.
MUSCAT: The GCC countries are forging ahead with railway projects worth around $106.2 billion, a new research has revealed.
"The rail and transit market has never been stronger in the Middle East," said Tom Topolski, vice-president of Transportation Middle East for AECOM.
"The rapid industrialisation of the region has created significant freight rail opportunities."
Major regional railway developments underway include Oman's National Freight and Passenger Railway valued at $10 billion.
Saudi Arabia has a total of 23 projects valued at $25.6 billion, including the $6 billion Makkah-Madina Railway Link, which is currently under tender for construction.
Qatar too is investing heavily in its transport infrastructure in preparation for the 2022 Football World Cup. The $25 billion Qatar National Rail Scheme will link to the GCC Railway network, the $30-billion 2,200-km system that will connect all six GCC states by 2017.
In the UAE, eight railway projects valued at $20.6 billion are underway, including the $11 billion Emirates Railway Project on which construction begins in the middle of this year.
The latest figures highlight enormous opportunities for suppliers of construction products.
Other regional railway projects include Kuwait's National Rail Road Network and Metro System worth a combined $17 billion, and Bahrain's Rapid Transport Network at $8 billion.
© Times of Oman 2011
