DOHA: More than eight million people are expected to use the GCC railway by 2045, said GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi. In the same year, the volume of freight transport via the project is expected to reach 95 million tons. Speaking at the 26th meeting of the Committee of the Ministers of Transport of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), Al-Budaiwi said the railway connection between the GCC countries represents a “qualitative leap” due to its direct positive impact on the movement of citizens and residents between GCC states, in addition to facilitating intra-regional trade, which surpassed 100 billion dollars in 2023, and supporting joint investments in the region.

Kuwait’s Public Works Minister Noura Al-Mashaan participated in the meeting, held in the Qatari capital, Doha, where GCC Ministers of Transport discussed several topics to further enhance GCC countries’ cooperation in transportation.

“The transport sector plays a central role in the economic, social, and urban development of all countries due to its direct impact on economic growth and increasing employment rates,” said Al-Budaiwi.

This map shows the route of the expected GCC railway.

Al-Budaiwi added that, in light of the GCC Supreme Council’s keen interest in strengthening the unity and cohesion of the GCC, and achieving more coordination and integration across all sectors, “the relevant authorities in the member states, in coordination with the General Secretariat, have worked on developing the transport sector as an integrated system among the GCC countries in land, sea, air, and rail transport.” He also pointed out that the Ministerial Committee had achieved many accomplishments that enhanced joint Gulf cooperation in the field of transport and communications, facilitating and speeding up the movement of citizens, residents, and goods between member states, whether through land transport, maritime transport, or ports.

Qatari Minister of Transport Jassim Al-Sulaiti hailed the GCC’s efforts to collaborate over the past few years. “Recent years have witnessed a significant shift in the journey of cooperation in all fields, achieving many positive outcomes and successes. This journey has followed a balanced approach to achieving comprehensive development, aimed at enhancing economic and social integration among all GCC countries.” Sulaiti added that the transportation and communications sector has received significant attention from the GCC leaders, leading to further development in this vital sector. “This is especially important as many other areas of cooperation depend on this sector to implement their development plans,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of the directives from the GCC leaders, which have resulted in the GCC countries possessing advanced, environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure, supported by the latest technological systems that keep pace with emerging smart technologies. These developments also contribute to the activation of initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. Sulaiti noted that the GCC’s achievements in this field are globally recognized. — KUNA