Bahrain's Undersecretary for Land Transport: Gulf Railway is a qualitative leap in integration and connectivity among GCC states

From Khaloud Al-Anzi (meeting) Manama -- Fatima Al-Dhaen, Assistant Undersecretary for Road Transport and Postal Affairs at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Transport, affirmed that signing the general agreement to link Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to the (Gulf Railway) project represents a pivotal and important step toward implementing this strategic project, as it establishes a common legal and regulatory framework that defines commitments, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms among member states, thereby supporting the transition from planning and study phases to implementation and operation.

Al-Dhaen told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Monday that hosting the signing ceremony in the Kingdom of Bahrain underscores Bahrain’s commitment to supporting joint GCC projects. She explained that the significance of the agreement lies in harmonizing technical and operational standards, regulating train movements across borders, and providing a regulatory environment that supports investment opportunities and partnerships with the private sector in areas related to safety, maintenance, and border procedures.

She added that the agreement will contribute to building an integrated GCC railway network, enhancing the flow of passengers and goods, and improving the efficiency of the transport and logistics systems among GCC member states.

Al-Dhaen clarified that GCC countries are continuing to complete the technical, regulatory, and implementation requirements for the project, including engineering designs, route identification, and border connection points, as well as harmonizing technical specifications, safety standards, signaling systems, and communication networks to ensure the integration and operational efficiency of national networks.

She noted that the (Gulf Railway Authority) is responsible for coordinating among member states and monitoring implementation stages according to approved timelines and budgets, pointing out that the overall project completion rate has reached approximately 56 percent, while GCC countries continue working to achieve full operational capacity by 2030, in accordance with decisions by GCC heads of state.

In this regard, she emphasized that the project is one of the most prominent initiatives for GCC integration, as it provides a regional transport network linking the six GCC member states, facilitating the movement of passengers and goods, and strengthening economic and social ties among them.

In the same context, Al-Dhaen highlighted that the project will also support the connection of ports, industrial zones, and logistics centers to GCC markets, thereby enhancing supply chain efficiency and intra-regional trade, providing additional transport routes to support cargo continuity in the face of potential challenges to these chains, and playing a role in stimulating tourism and facilitating the movement of citizens and residents between GCC countries.

Regarding the challenges facing the project’s implementation, Al-Dhaen explained that the cross-border nature of the project requires a high level of coordination among member states in technical, legislative, and regulatory aspects, as well as completing engineering and environmental studies, identifying routes, and determining infrastructure requirements.

She added that GCC countries are working in coordination with the (Gulf Railway Authority) and specialized working groups to further enhance this coordination by aligning systems and legislation, harmonizing technical specifications, safety standards, and operational and communication systems, ensuring interoperability of national networks, and supporting project implementation according to targeted timelines.

On the expected economic impacts of the project, she stated that it will contribute to enhancing the efficiency of the GCC transport and logistics system through its integration with road, maritime, and air transport networks, providing an additional means for transporting passengers and goods, thereby supporting intra-regional trade, reducing reliance on trucks, and limiting carbon emissions.

She noted that, according to approved studies, passenger traffic is expected to rise from approximately 6 million passengers in 2030 to over 8 million in 2045, while cargo volume is projected to increase from 200 million tons to 271 million tons over the same period. She added that estimates indicate the potential to reduce transport costs by up to 40 percent and cut travel time by up to 50 percent compared to traditional road transport.

On another note, Al-Zaane highlighted that the project will also support industrial, commercial, and tourism sectors, provide new investment and employment opportunities—particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises—and alleviate pressure on road networks while enhancing the competitiveness of Gulf products in regional and global markets.

Regarding the movement of citizens and residents among GCC member states, she stated that “the project will offer an additional and comfortable travel option, facilitating travel, strengthening social ties, boosting intra-regional tourism, and stimulating related economic activities.” She explained that its planning is based on regional transport needs and integration with national transport networks in member states, aiming to support an interconnected transport system that facilitates access to centers, cities, and economic and tourism zones, while strengthening internal transport networks.

On the subject of rail connectivity and the future of the Gulf railway network and its role in supporting joint efforts, she affirmed that it represents one of the key pillars due to its role in enhancing connectivity among Gulf countries, supporting trade and mobility flows, and linking ports, industrial zones, and logistics centers, thereby boosting economic integration and improving supply chain efficiency. She added that this connectivity contributes to diversifying transport options and providing sustainable, interconnected infrastructure that supports economic and tourism growth, and embodies the GCC states’ aspirations to consolidate cooperation and integration in the transport sector.

In the same context, Al-Zaane emphasized that the (Gulf Railway Network) constitutes a fundamental pillar of the regional transport system and a primary driver of the future of logistics in the region, as it will enhance connectivity among member states, improve trade and mobility efficiency, and diversify available transport options. She noted that the network opens new horizons for investment and growth in economic and tourism sectors, and enhances the competitiveness of the GCC economies by providing integrated and sustainable infrastructure.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Transport for Road and Maritime Transport in Bahrain concluded that the project embodies the GCC states’ ambition to build an integrated transport and logistics services system and to consolidate the region’s position as a regional hub for trade and logistics services. (End) K.N.A / N.B.S