Conrad Dubai, 21 October 2014. The annual MEED MENA Rail & Metro Summit was told this morning that the draft UAE railway law which will include creating a national railway commission could be finalized in 2015.
“The draft law takes into account the vertically-integrated nature of the Etihad Railway,” said transport specialist at the UAE’s National Transport Authority (NTA) Mohammed Wasel Al Hourani. “At the same time it leaves the door open to open access in the future. The model is based on co-operation rather than competition.”
The first phase of Etihad Rail which will connect Habshan with Ruwais and carry sulphur has been completed and is due to start operations soon.
The NTA is working on the creation of a nationwide railways committee to oversee the drafting of law. The committee will include representatives of key stakeholders in the development of railways in the UAE.
The Strategic Partners in the MEED MENA Rail & Metro Summit are Fluor and Siemens. Gold sponsors are ZTE and Bechtel. Associate Sponsor is Louis Berger Lunch sponsor is Vossloh Middle East. Bronze Sponsors are Autodesk and Thales. Conference Sponsors are CSR, Arabian Railway Company, Drake & Scull and Hill International. Networking sponsor is Parsons.