Key railway trends in focus at Middle East Rail

Muscat: The 12th edition of the Middle East Rail, the largest railway industry event across the Middle East, North Africa, South and Central Asian region, officially opened at the Dubai International Convention Centre on Monday.
Dr Abdulla Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman, Federal Transport Authority, Land and Maritime, inaugurated the exhibition, where over 290 regional and international railway operators, suppliers, and contractors are showcasing their best solutions and innovations.
A high-level delegation, including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) transport ministers, as well as senior officials from regional rail authorities, accompanied Al Nuaimi during the tour of the exhibition.
The show is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, the UAE, and in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Federal Transport Authority, Land and Maritime.
Delivering a keynote speech at the conference, Al Nuaimi stressed that the UAE has established itself as a global player in the transport infrastructure sector, a sector that plays an important role in any nation’s progress. He also expressed his pleasure at the exponential growth in the number of participants, as well as the keen interest of key decision-makers in the railway industry.
He pointed out that the UAE government has developed a clear vision, as well as a carefully planned strategy to play a leader's role in the field of rail transport infrastructure. This will be achieved through regional and international collaboration, developing and re-shaping policies, and enacting laws to promote efficiency and safety in this vital sector.
Earlier this month, the UAE Cabinet approved a new Federal Railway Law that provides a regulatory framework for future development of railways. The new law is expected to pave the way for private sector participation in railway projects in the Emirates.
"The UAE, thanks to its visionary leadership, is rapidly moving towards further developing a strong infrastructure in various fields. It has achieved tangible results in this effort and advanced positions in the Global Competitiveness Index, where it was ranked fourth in the quality of infrastructure,” Al Nuaimi said.
“We are keen to learn about international best practices and to benefit from international expertise, which we believe plays an important role in sustainable development, especially in the light of transformation towards an economy based on knowledge and innovation,” he added.
He further pointed out that for over a decade, Middle East Rail has helped shape the regional rail industry through knowledge sharing, educating the market, and facilitating influential meetings. The show serves as a platform for industry experts to identify problems, propose solutions, and collaborate and harness innovative technologies in the railway sector.