GCC seals landmark deal for Gulf railway network

MANAMA, Nov 8: Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan said Sunday that the General Agreement linking GCC states through the railway project represents a historic milestone in the course of joint Gulf action. Speaking to KUNA after taking part in the signing ceremony in Manama alongside heads of GCC delegations, Al-Mashaan said the agreement was signed under the patronage of Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on the sidelines of the 30th meeting of the GCC Transport Ministers Committee. The meeting was hosted by Bahrain and chaired by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Dr. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, with the participation of GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi

Al-Mashaan said the project is a strategic pillar for strengthening economic integration and connectivity among GCC states. It will facilitate the movement of passengers and freight, support intra-Gulf trade, and improve the efficiency of transport and logistics services, opening wider prospects for cooperation and sustainable development. She affirmed Kuwait’s commitment, as the starting point of the project, to implementing its section in coordination with the Gulf Railway Authority and other member states. Kuwait’s section extends approximately 111 kilometers from Al-Shaddadiya to Al- Nuwaiseeb on the border with Saudi Arabia. Al-Mashaan stressed the importance of continued coordination and cooperation among member states and relevant authorities to ensure the integration of implementation phases and achieve the project’s development and economic objectives. She also praised the Gulf Railway Authority’s role in overseeing the project, coordinating efforts among member states, and unifying technical and executive work to accelerate implementation and ensure the integration of the regional railway network. The minister commended the GCC General Secretariat, led by Al-Budaiwi, for following up on the project until the agreement was signed, and thanked Bahrain for hosting and organizing the event.

Agreement establishes shared framework
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al- Budaiwi said the General Agreement on the GCC Railway Project marks and important step toward strengthening Gulf integration in the transport sector and establishing a framework for an interconnected, interoperable regional railway network. In a statement following his participation in the signing ceremony in Manama, Al-Budaiwi said the agreement would facilitate railway operations, strengthen connectivity, and ease transport movement among GCC member states. The ceremony was held under the patronage of Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, with the participation of GCC transport ministers, including Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan. Al-Budaiwi expressed sincere appreciation to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the current chairman of the GCC Supreme Council, and other GCC leaders for their continued support of joint Gulf action and their directives to advance strategic projects serving member states and their peoples. He also thanked Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister for patronizing and attending the signing ceremony. Al-Budaiwi praised the continued efforts of the concerned teams in GCC states and the Gulf Railway Authority to complete the strategic project. He stressed its importance in advancing Gulf integration and fulfilling the aspirations of member states’ peoples for an interconnected transport network that promotes economic development and shared prosperity. (KUNA)