Sharjah 24 – WAM: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has affirmed that the national railway network is an important milestone in the UAE's development journey, and an ambitious project that contributes to strengthening the country’s preparations for the future.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed added, “We are proud of the performance of our sons and daughters who have worked hard over the years to build an ambitious strategic project that will propel our national economy to greater heights.”
“Connecting the Emirates via a national railway network strengthens our capabilities and competitiveness, and consolidates our unity," he said.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed witnessed Thursday the inauguration of the UAE National Railway Network, at the main centre for control and maintenance, in Al Fayah region, Abu Dhabi.
The ambitious development project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region and aims to link the seven emirates with a main railway network.
Sheikh Mohammed has also launched the cargo train operations have been launched across all the emirates.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and a number of ministers and senior officials.
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Etihad Rail, noted that the UAE, with the vision and directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is keen to strengthen its union though launching new mega projects such as the UAE National Railway Network, which connects the seven Emirates and accelerate the country’s economic development.
Sheikh Theyab said, “Emirati talents, with the support of the UAE leadership, have turned the dream of our founding fathers into reality. Thanks to them, we won the bet, and we succeeded in launching a railway network with international specifications that extends to about 900 kilometres across the Emirates. We announce the inauguration operation of the freight trains throughout the UAE with a fleet of 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons capable of transporting all types of goods.”
He pointed out that the completion of the network according to the schedule and the approved budget, would not have been possible without the cohesion of our talented Emirati cadres.
The network contributes to supporting companies' businesses and enhancing investment opportunities. The main line of the UAE National Rail Network extends from Ghuweifat on the border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Fujairah, forming an essential part of the global supply network.
The stage one of the Network has been fully operational since January 2016, where the stage two of the project started in early 2020.
The UAE national railway network will contribute to supporting the national economy at a value of AED200 billion, and saving AED8 billion in the cost of road maintenance. The network’s tourism benefits are estimated at AED23 billion.
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