Full steam ahead for Gulf railway

17/06/2026

KUWAIT CITY, June 17: Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan represented the State of Kuwait at the 29th extraordinary meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers of Transport and Communications Committee, held virtually under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The meeting focused on ways to enhance logistical integration and expedite the implementation of the GCC Railway project. The committee talked about the directives issued by the leaders of GCC states, who emphasized the importance of the relevant ministerial panels to continue their intensive meetings in order to closely monitor developments and challenges and submit recommendations to strengthen Gulf cooperation. The committee affirmed the importance of the GCC Railway project as a major initiative that will reinforce economic and logistical connectivity among member states, reduce reliance on trucks, open new avenues for connecting GCC countries to the regional and international markets, and provide more efficient and flexible options for transporting goods and commodities among member states.

The GCC Secretariat General reviewed the procedures and executive steps taken to implement the decision of the Supreme Council on conducting a comprehensive study to expand logistical integration and expedite the completion of the Gulf Railway project. It also presented a report on the progress in this area and the efforts exerted, in coordination with the relevant authorities in the member states. The committee commended the Secretariat for conducting the necessary studies and the steps taken to support the Gulf logistical integration project and accelerate the connection of member states through the railway network.

The committee emphasized the importance of completing the studies according to the highest technical standards, and to fully benefit from the experience and expertise of the member states to ensure that the objectives of the project are achieved. It also assigned the Secretariat to conduct a workshop for senior officials and specialists in the transport and logistics sectors in GCC countries. This workshop will assess the study plan, facilitate the exchange of relevant national experience and best practices, improve the outputs, and support the Gulf integration process in the transport sector.

By Mohammad Ghanem Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff