The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired the Cabinet meeting held today in Riyadh, during which a number of important decisions were issued that serve the interests of the nation and its citizens and enhance the Kingdom's regional and international standing. Foremost among these decisions was the official approval of the agreement for a high-speed electric rail link between the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, a step that reflects the depth of fraternal relations and the shared desire to develop transportation infrastructure between the two countries.
This approval comes as part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing economic and logistical integration among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The railway link between Saudi Arabia and Qatar is a vital component of the unified Gulf Railway project, which aims to connect all GCC countries with a modern rail network, facilitating the movement of people and goods and reducing transportation costs and time associated with traditional overland travel.
From an economic perspective, this project is of paramount importance within the framework of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub connecting three continents. The high-speed electric train will contribute to boosting trade between Riyadh and Doha and open new avenues for investment in the transport and logistics sectors. Furthermore, the reliance on electric trains aligns with the Kingdom's environmental initiatives, such as the Saudi Green Initiative, by reducing carbon emissions from traditional transportation methods and trucks.
On a social and tourism level, this link will bring about a qualitative leap in passenger traffic, especially given the increasing growth in the tourism sector in both countries. The train will facilitate the movement of pilgrims from Qatar and the Gulf countries, in addition to supporting major sporting and entertainment events hosted by the region. This decision underscores the wise leadership's commitment to developing infrastructure that serves future generations and strengthens the bonds of kinship and affection among the peoples of the region, thus establishing a new phase of fruitful and sustainable cooperation.
