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North-South railway to link GCC with Europe
By MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS
Published: Oct 8, 2010 23:04 Updated: Oct 8, 2010 23:04
RIYADH: The North-South railway project, currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, will be a key component in a regional rail network linking the GCC with Europe via Turkey, according to the minister of transport.
Speaking exclusively to Oxford Business Group (OBG), the global publishing, research and consultancy firm, Jabara Al-Seraisry said that the service would play a significant role in expanding international trade and investment opportunities.
The North-South railway will start from our border with Jordan, connecting a number of cities in the Kingdom to Riyadh and linking up to the existing railway to Dammam, he said.
Syria and Jordan also have a rail network connected to Turkey, which in turn is constructing a railway to Europe. This means that we can connect the Kingdom to Europe via these countries.
The rail developments form an integral part of the governments wider plans to reduce traffic problems and increase the lifespan of the Kingdoms roads.
Al-Seraisry believes that the creation of an efficient public transport system and better access to smaller cities will also encourage people to consider living further away from their workplaces.
Although Saudi Arabias government has taken over the funding of some of its infrastructure projects following the decision by international banks to pull financing for certain developments, Al-Seraisry is confident that the move does not spell the end for public-private partnerships.
© 2010 Arab News
By MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS
Published: Oct 8, 2010 23:04 Updated: Oct 8, 2010 23:04
RIYADH: The North-South railway project, currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, will be a key component in a regional rail network linking the GCC with Europe via Turkey, according to the minister of transport.
Speaking exclusively to Oxford Business Group (OBG), the global publishing, research and consultancy firm, Jabara Al-Seraisry said that the service would play a significant role in expanding international trade and investment opportunities.
The North-South railway will start from our border with Jordan, connecting a number of cities in the Kingdom to Riyadh and linking up to the existing railway to Dammam, he said.
Syria and Jordan also have a rail network connected to Turkey, which in turn is constructing a railway to Europe. This means that we can connect the Kingdom to Europe via these countries.
The rail developments form an integral part of the governments wider plans to reduce traffic problems and increase the lifespan of the Kingdoms roads.
Al-Seraisry believes that the creation of an efficient public transport system and better access to smaller cities will also encourage people to consider living further away from their workplaces.
Although Saudi Arabias government has taken over the funding of some of its infrastructure projects following the decision by international banks to pull financing for certain developments, Al-Seraisry is confident that the move does not spell the end for public-private partnerships.
© 2010 Arab News
