Minister of Public Works: Developing Transport System and Keeping Pace with Developments

Public Works Minister Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and consultation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and enhancing joint Gulf efforts in the fields of transport and communications, in order to unify visions, integrate efforts, develop the Gulf transport system, and keep pace with rapid developments in this vital sector.

Speaking after chairing Kuwait’s delegation at the 30th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Transport and Communications, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain and presided over by Bahrain’s Minister of Communications and Transport, Dr. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and attended by GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, Al-Mashaan stated that Kuwait is keen to continue developing the transport and communications sector, upgrading its infrastructure, and strengthening cooperation with GCC member states in implementing joint strategic projects. These efforts aim to support transport and trade flows and contribute to achieving integration and connectivity among the member states.

She noted that the meeting addressed a number of topics and issues of common interest in the transport and communications sector, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination among GCC countries to serve shared interests and support the Gulf integration process. Al-Mashaan praised the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the meeting and providing the facilitations necessary for its success, expressing gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom and to the GCC Secretariat-General for their efforts in organization and preparation.

The Gulf Railway

The Kingdom of Bahrain witnessed the signing of the General Agreement for linking GCC countries to the Gulf Railway project, with the participation of Gulf ministers of transport and communications. This step represents a pivotal milestone in the project’s progress, which aims to connect the six GCC member states and enhance mobility and commercial exchange among them.

This agreement caps years of Gulf coordination efforts aimed at developing the transport system and infrastructure, providing an organized framework for cooperation among member states to complete the project’s implementation requirements in coordination with the Gulf Railway Authority. The Authority plays a central role in regulating the rail transport sector and unifying technical and operational frameworks and standards among GCC countries, ensuring the integration of national networks, enhancing their readiness for interconnection and joint operation, and opening broader horizons for economic integration and strengthening the interconnection of Gulf markets.

As part of efforts to advance the project toward implementation and operation, the Gulf Railway Authority was established by a decision of the GCC Supreme Council at its 42nd session in 2021. It is tasked with regulating the rail transport industry, coordinating among member states, and monitoring the implementation and operation of the Gulf Railway project as an integrated regional network capable of interoperability. The Authority plays a pivotal role in unifying the regulatory, legislative, technical, and operational frameworks for the project, and in setting common policies and standards to ensure the compatibility of national networks, enhance operational efficiency, and guarantee the safety of passenger and freight transport between GCC countries.

An Integrated Network

The Gulf Railway project aims to create an integrated railway network spanning approximately 2,117 kilometers, connecting the six Gulf states from Kuwait, through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and finally to the Sultanate of Oman, forming a land transport artery among GCC countries.

The project’s significance extends beyond providing a modern means of transport for passengers and goods; it aims to bring about a qualitative leap in the Gulf transport and logistics system by facilitating the movement of people and goods, enhancing the flow of intra-Gulf trade, and reducing the time and costs associated with transport and shipping operations.

The railway link is also expected to boost trade flows among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, open up broader investment opportunities in the transport, industrial, logistics, and tourism sectors, and support supply chains while enhancing the ability of these economies to keep pace with regional and international economic and trade developments. The project gains added significance amid the region’s evolving dynamics, which call for strengthening connectivity between infrastructure and land and sea ports, and providing multiple transport options that help ensure the continuity of trade and supply flows and improve the efficiency of the regional transport system. The Gulf railway network represents a crucial step toward integrating the six member states into a regional transport network and expanding connectivity options with their markets. The signing of the agreement also underscores the importance of coordinated GCC efforts in implementing strategic infrastructure projects and harmonizing the regulatory frameworks governing them, thereby supporting economic integration and opening wider horizons for cooperation in the transport and communications sector. Overall, the project embodies a Gulf-wide drive to build an integrated transport system whose benefits extend beyond facilitating mobility to enhancing economic competitiveness, supporting sustainable development, and consolidating the foundations of integration among GCC member states, in the interest of their peoples and future generations.