Jeddah, 20th, December 2010: Siemens, the global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the Industry, Energy and Healthcare sectors, with over 75 years of operations in Saudi Arabia announced the completion of Phase I of the Mashaaer Mugaddassah Metro Project (MMMP), a rail transportation solution that will allow pilgrims to undertake Hajj in convenience and comfort akin to the most advanced urban metro systems. The rail solution significantly reduces the travel time for pilgrims between the holy sites.
Hartwig Lankow, Vice President of Siemens Mobility in Saudi Arabia said: "Siemens is a major player in the development of the local infrastructure in the Kingdom and in particular in the development of infrastructure of the holy sites to facilitate millions of pilgrims every year. With the commissioning of MMMP, a long cherished dream has come true - Pilgrims can use a modern rail-transportation system significant saving transportation time while performing the Hajj in the holy area of Mecca." The project, which achieved operation during Hajj 2010 will be ready to operate at full capacity during the next Hajj season.
The project consists of an 18 km double track, which was electrified in order to interlink the Arafat district with that in Muzdalifah and Mina/Jamarat by a heavy metro system. Siemens has delivered the whole power supply system, traction substations and the entire overhead cable system.
Siemens Mobility is an active local partner in the Kingdom with the company strengthening its presence in the emerging markets. Other major projects of Siemens Mobility in the Kingdom include the state of the art Signaling- and Telecom System implemented on the Saudi Railways Organization Dammam to Riyadh railway line, the Baggage Handling System at Madinah International Airport and the modern postal automation equipment for Saudi Post.
Siemens is the only company worldwide that can devise and offer integrated transportation and logistics solutions from a single source. Siemens ‚Complete Mobility' concept enables Siemens to create efficient mobility solutions that allow the intelligent coordination of different transport systems - for the safe, cost-efficient and environmentally compatible transport of people and goods.
With Green Mobility Siemens is shaping the transport market by moving people and goods efficiently with minimum impact on the environment. In fact, in fiscal year 2010, energy-efficient products of Siemens Mobility green portfolio abated about 270 million tons of CO2, which equals the total carbon dioxide emitted by Hong Kong, London, New York, Tokyo, Delhi and Singapore put together.
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As a world leader in industry, energy and healthcare, Siemens has grown to hold leading positions in these sectors in the Kingdom with more than 1,800 employees countrywide. Siemens activities in Saudi Arabia date back to the early 1930s when the country imported its first power plant equipment. From the very beginning Siemens has made a significant contribution to the development of the country's infrastructure. One third of the power used in the Kingdom is generated and distributed by Siemens. Today, Siemens in Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the careers of young Saudis through targeted professional recruitment and training programs. The company also proactively supports the government's efforts to effect social change in the country by recruiting Saudi women.
Siemens Saudi Arabia owes much of what has been achieved in this time to our partner and sponsor, EA Juffali & Brothers - one of Saudi Arabia's largest and most respected diversified business groups.
For further information, please contact:
Nada Al-marhoon
Siemens Ltd.
Director, Communications
Thadeq Street
P.O. Box 9510
Riyadh 11423, Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966 1) 2778282
Email: nada.al-marhoon@siemens.com
For media information:
Yousef Enayat
Media Relations Manager
Raee Public Relations
Phone: 02 661 7565
Fax : 02 661 7566
Mob: 0555 477 511
Email : Y.Enayat@raeepr.com
Web: www.raeepr.com
© Press Release 2010
