In his book, “The Men Who United the States,” American historian Simon Winchester stated that the railway unified the United States. Former President Abraham Lincoln shared this perspective, viewing the rail network as a vital tool for preserving national unity and cohesion amidst the fragmentation of the Civil War.
These historical precedents offer valuable lessons to the modern era. Beyond moving passengers and freight, railways serve as catalysts for social and cultural integration. By bridging the gap between countries and societies, they promote international ties that contribute to long-term peace.
With this perception, the regional political and economic sectors enthusiastically welcomed the recent cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. The two nations signed memoranda of understanding on logistics and railway development, specifically the revitalization of the historic Hejaz Railway.
In an age often defined by the fallout of prolonged conflicts, this initiative is seen as a positive step. The revival of this project promises extensive advantages that reach far beyond the Arab nations and Gulf states along its route. By linking Europe with the Gulf and the East Arab, the railway will expand cultural exchange, trade and political discourse. This is an acknowledgement that the foundations of modern states and societies are rooted in shared strategic interests rather than rhetoric or sentiment. Kuwait and the neighboring Gulf nations must participate as major investors in this huge project.
Considering the substantial financial reserves of these states, there is an opportunity to form Gulf joint-stock corporations for funding both this initiative and the Gulf Railway project. The advantages of such investment are two-fold: it will drive deeper integration within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and remarkably reduce the costs of maritime imports. The vulnerabilities of reliance on one trade route were made clear to everyone during the recent conflict, which proved that such a model is not sustainable.
Substantial economic gains from metro and rail infrastructure have already been proven by regional examples in Riyadh and Dubai, where these networks mitigated traffic congestion, while saving time and financial resources. Similar successes in Europe validate this, as regional trains ensure seamless travel, with rail freight volume exceeding 385 billion ton-kilometers. When paired with supporting tourism and transport infrastructure, these projects provide vital services to the national and regional economies.
Consequently, creating a Gulf joint-stock entity is essential to breathe life into such a regional vision and ensure comprehensive railway connectivity in all Gulf nations. The economic viability of the metro and railway projects was affirmed by Gulf and European precedents. In cities like Riyadh and Dubai, metro systems emerged as the preferred transit method, reducing road congestion while saving the time and money of users. When integrated with tourism and transport infrastructure, these developments serve as vital engines for regional and local growth.
European nations illustrate this in the form of seamless cross-border passenger travel through local and regional rail networks, complemented by a robust freight sector that manages trade volumes exceeding 385 billion ton-kilometers. To capitalize on these benefits, forming a Gulf joint-stock corporation is vital for revitalizing regional connectivity and linking all Gulf states through the railway. Such a network will yield substantial economic returns for the entire region. Moreover, the Saudi-Turkish railway project will expand these advantages to cover all neighboring countries.
Success in these endeavors necessitates complementary recreational and logistical investments, including building roadside rest facilities, advancing the Kuwaiti island developments discussed previously, and modernizing local tourism by permitting agri-tourism on the designated portions of private farmland.
These initiatives serve a dual purpose: they ease the financial strain on local citizens and residents who usually travel to neighboring countries for holidays, while allowing international tourists to vacation in these specialized agricultural and tourist chalets. Consequently, the restoration of the Hejaz Railway project is an important developmental prospect. Its impact extends beyond a single nation, offering the countries of the Levant and the Gulf states a vital means to diversify trade routes and mitigate the risks of future crises in the Strait of Hormuz.
