KUWAIT: The long-planned Gulf Railway project remains a key pillar of efforts to strengthen economic and logistics links across the Gulf region, said Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan on Wednesday. The minister joined transport ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to discuss ways to accelerate its implementation. Al-Mashaan said the railway project would help deepen economic integration among GCC member states and create new opportunities to connect the region with regional and international markets. According to a statement from the ministry, the GCC Transport and Communications Ministers Committee held its 29th extraordinary meeting by videoconference under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting reviewed decisions issued during the 19th consultative meeting of GCC leaders, held in Jeddah on April 28, particularly those related to strengthening logistics integration among member states and speeding up work on the Gulf Railway project. The committee said directives issued by GCC leaders underscored the importance of continued and intensive meetings among specialized ministerial committees to monitor developments and challenges and submit recommendations that support joint Gulf cooperation. Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of the Gulf Railway project, describing it as one of the region’s major strategic initiatives.
The committee said the railway would strengthen economic and logistics connectivity among member states, reduce dependence on freight transport by trucks and provide new links between GCC countries and regional and international markets. It added that the project would offer more efficient and flexible options for moving goods, products and cargo between member states.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed measures and implementation steps taken in response to a GCC Supreme Council decision calling for a comprehensive study aimed at enhancing logistics integration and accelerating completion of the Gulf Railway project. Officials also presented an overview of progress made so far and coordination efforts with relevant authorities across member states. — KUNA
