$352b worth of railway projects underway in Middle East

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa are forging ahead with plans to establish a strong passenger and freight transport network with 16 major railway projects worth $352 billion currently underway in the region, according to Terrapinn Middle East, organiser of Middle East Rail. The event will be held on March 8 and 9 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. "With transport and logistics sectors playing an increasingly important role in the region's economies, governments are now looking towards innovative technologies to boost economic sectors that will boost intra-regional trade and tourism activities." According to and ICAEW Economic Insight Middle East report, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman will likely net the biggest windfalls, with logistics forecast to contribute 13.6 per cent, 12.1 per cent, 11.7 per cent and 11.7 per cent to their respective economies by 2018. Middle East Rail will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Public Works and the Federal Transport Authority - Land and Maritime. The show will spotlight projects updates, with key government departments, railway operators and construction companies giving a first look at 2016 tenders. - Khaleejtimes