Manama: The general agreement for the GCC Railway Project was signed on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in the presence of the Minister of Transport HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani and their Excellencies and Highnesses the Ministers of Transport and Communications of the other GCC countries in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
HE Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said that the General Agreement for the GCC Railway Project represents an important step in enhancing Gulf integration in the transport sector and regulating the railway transport system in the GCC countries, which supports the operation of a railway project linking all GCC countries, as a single integrated and interoperable regional network, and contributes to enhancing connectivity and facilitating transport between the GCC countries.
His Excellency praised the ongoing efforts of the teams concerned in the GCC countries and the Gulf Railway Authority to complete this strategic project, stressing its importance in supporting the joint Gulf integration process and achieving the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC countries towards an interconnected and integrated transport system, which enhances economic development and common prosperity.
Extending over 2,100km across six Gulf states, the network connects Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman.
The project is expected to become fully operational by December 2030.
