Rail In The GCC: Risks And Rewards

Construction projects in the GCC region never lack ambition. The scale and pace of infrastructure development puts most other parts of the world firmly in the shade. Rail projects totalling $194 billion are now a key part of that mix, with a range of metro, light rail and long-distance routes either underway or in the advanced planning stages. The largest of those projects aims to connect the GCC member states, facilitating the flow of passengers and freight and providing an integrated transport network to harness and enhance the economic benefits of new ports, airports and logistics zones.

The benefits of rail include reduced freight transport costs, increased passenger mobility, greater economic integration and the environmental benefits stemming from reduced road traffic or improved urban transit. While those projected benefits naturally loom large in official announcements and press comment on the region's rail schemes, it is important to consider at the earliest