Etihad Rail Signs Strategic Agreement to Sponsor Al Jazira Sports Club

Partnership will support socio-economic development in the UAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 23 February, 2013: Etihad Rail - the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network - today announced the signing of a strategic sponsorship agreement with Al Jazira Sports Club, reigning UFL (UAE Football League) champions for the 2010-2011 season and President's Cup champions for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. The agreement will see a long-term partnership develop between two entities that, while in different fields, are equally committed to the ambitious goals that support the development of the UAE.

The agreement sees Etihad Rail becoming Al Jazira Sports Club's strategic sponsor for the next three years, with branding placement rights to Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, including at the stadium entrances and towers as well as on the team jerseys, among other marketing benefits. The sponsorship agreement will facilitate further advancement of the Al Jazira team, with Etihad Rail providing all the necessary support and requirements for the team to achieve its goals.

Since its inception, Etihad Rail has made substantial progress in developing the railway due to the strong support of the UAE's leadership and government. A strategic infrastructure project, Etihad Rail will change the face of logistics and transportation not only in the UAE, but with a subsequent global impact due to the country's expanding international trade network.

Al Jazira Sports Club occupies a leading position locally and regionally in sports while playing an increasingly significant role in corporate social responsibility and awareness. It has enjoyed remarkable success under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of Ruler in the Western Region, the Honorary Chairmanship of Al Jazira Club and Chairman of the Honorary Panel, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Honorary Panel of Al-Jazira Club, President of the Club.

H.E. Dr. Nasser Saif Al-Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, said: "Etihad Rail has always stood for distinction and utmost efficiency, having adopted best international practice in the development of our railway. Our partnership with Al Jazira Sports Club, who have contributed and achieved notably in the spectrums of both UAE society and sport, is in line with Etihad Rail's vision and reflects our commitment to support local sports organisations. We are proud to sponsor a club that is placed among the leading regional and international sports clubs, and we see only more success in its future. This partnership is aligned with the government's efforts to develop sports in the UAE - efforts that have been realised following our recent victory in the Gulf Cup - and allows Etihad Rail to work hand in hand with Al Jazira for this same cause."

H.E. Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, Board Member of Al Jazira Club and head of Al Jazira Club's professionalism committee, added: "Since its inception, Al Jazira Sports Club has aimed to enhance relations with government entities that contribute significantly to the UAE's growth and development. We are very pleased to be partnering with Etihad Rail, a national company that will improve the transport and logistics sector in the UAE by linking airports, seaports, and key centres of population and industry. Etihad Rail's sponsorship over the next three years will aid in strengthening the performance of the Al Jazira Sports Club in line with our vision and strategy, providing an example and motivating other leading national companies to support local clubs."

He further added: "This also allows for further contribution to Al Jazira's initiatives for the social development of the UAE's communities; our club has been instrumental in turning local talent into regional household names through the Al Jazira Club Football Academy. We are proud to have Etihad Rail's support in such efforts."

Etihad Rail has adopted a policy with a unique, integrated vision that combines the strategic development of the UAE's national railway with positive contribution to the UAE's local communities and organisations. This has seen Etihad Rail communicating and informing the public of the opportunities and benefits the railway network will bring as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development.

-Ends-

About Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail was established in June 2009 under Federal Law no. 2, with a mandate to manage the development, construction and operation of the UAE's national freight and passenger railway network.

The railway network will be built in phases to link the principal centres of population and industry of the UAE, as well as to form a vital part of the planned GCC railway network linking the six countries of the GCC.

Built to international standards, Etihad Rail's state of the art network will act as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development. Once complete, the railway will redefine logistics and transport in the region, providing a modern, safe, efficient, sustainable network that will connect all regions of the UAE, and the UAE to its wider GCC neighbouring countries.

Etihad Rail has recently announced a number of contract awards for Stage One of the rail network including:

The Civil & Track Works contract was awarded to a consortium comprising Italy's Saipem, Tecnimont and UAE-based Dodsal Engineering and Construction
The Project Management Consultant (PMC) contract which was awarded to joint venture Parsons-Aecom
PCM Strescon Ventures was awarded the contract for the provision of railway sleepers. The Indian-based company will be responsible for the provision of railway sleepers in a purpose-built sleeper manufacturing facility at our rail head
Electro-Motive Diesel, from North America, was assigned to deliver seven locomotives custom-built for desert conditions by 2012
CSR Corporation Limited China was appointed to supply 240 covered hopper wagons for the movement of granulated sulphur in the Western Region

Etihad Rail has also signed several Memorandums of Understanding with the following companies:

DP World, for the development of an intermodal rail terminal in Jebel Ali Port which will enable the more efficient transfer of containerised freight arriving at the port inland
Centre of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi, who will use the network as a vital component in its future sustainable waste transport system, integrating the network into its plans to convert waste into energy and using Etihad Rail's custom-made rail concepts to centralise its services and facilities
Sharjah Cement Factory, for the efficient transport of basic raw materials, and cement to its customers throughout the UAE
Arkan and Emirates Steel, leading manufacturers who seek to use rail as the main method of transportation for their raw and finished materials
Al Dahra Agriculture Company, who plan to use rail as a more efficient means of transporting hay as soon as Etihad Rail's second stage is operational
Etisalat and Du, whose expertise in telecommunications services will benefit Etihad Rail while both companies gain access to and use of the railway infrastructure to magnify their growing network and customer base in the UAE