Signing Ceremony in Manama
The Gulf Cooperation Council announced on Saturday that the member states will sign the General Rail Link Agreement in Bahrain on Sunday, a new step in implementing a regional project approved nearly 17 years ago. The signing ceremony will take place in the Bahraini capital, Manama, attended by the transport and communications ministers of the member states and Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Al-Badawi, under the patronage of Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Project Objectives and Standards
The project aims to enhance economic and trade integration among the six states, amid growing importance of alternative transport routes amid navigation disruptions in the region, particularly those passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement includes harmonizing technical and operational specifications to ensure the connectivity of railway networks and safety requirements, while defining the responsibilities of member states and enhancing coordination with the Gulf Railway Authority.
Implementation Stages and Timelines
The project dates back to December 2009, when the Supreme Council approved the creation of the network, and in December 2021, the Gulf Railway Authority was established in Riyadh. The GCC Ministerial Council adopted in December 2023 the end of 2030 as the target date for full operation, allowing the operation of connecting lines between any two adjacent states as soon as their implementation is completed. The Supreme Council approved the General Agreement for the project in December 2025, paving the way for its procedures.
Strategic Importance and Integration
Bahraini Transport Minister Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa emphasized that regional crises have highlighted the importance of accelerating the project's implementation, noting a decline in shipping traffic at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain. He pointed to the use of alternative ports in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE to transport goods by land to Bahrain, thereby enhancing economic integration and reducing reliance on truck transport.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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