Deal for enhancing passenger transport services valued at US$ 542mn was signed in the presence of top officials from stakeholder partners
HH Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, and Chairman of Etihad Rail, and HE Sheikh Mohamed Bin Saif Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of FAB’s Board of Directors (First Abu Dhabi Bank) recently witnessed the signing of an agreement between Etihad Rail and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) for financing railway passenger transport services, with a total value of US$ 542mn (AED 1.990bn).
The agreement comes as part of the UAE National Railways Programme, the largest land transport system of its kind in the UAE, where First Abu Dhabi Bank will be the Certified Lead Arranger for the loan, as part of the agreement.
The signing ceremony was attended by HE Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; HE Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Jassim Al Zaabi, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance; Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Member of the Board of Directors of Etihad Rail and Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, as well as members of Etihad Rail’s Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of FAB, and a number of officials from the UAE Ministry of Finance and The Department of Finance in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement was inked jointly by Eng. Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Rail, and Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank.
‘Projects of the 50’
“Through this agreement with First Abu Dhabi Bank, we at Etihad Rail look forward to enhancing cooperation, uniting efforts, and working together towards realising the vision of the UAE in accordance with the goals of the UAE National Railways Programme, which was launched under the ‘Projects of the 50’ to establish the basis for a new stage of sustainable economic growth for the country,” affirmed HH Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“As we look to the next 50 years of our nation’s journey, the UAE continues to lead the region in setting a bold and progressive vision for the future. FAB is integral to that journey and committed to driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for citizens and residents,” asserted HE Sheikh Mohamed Bin Saif Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan.
“Through our support for the Etihad Rail project, we are reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global and regional transport and logistics hub, leveraging our strategic geographic location to improve and reinforce our links with the rest of the world,” he continued.
Etihad Rail’s passenger services will be the first of its kind, connecting the cities and regions of the UAE. The project is one of the three strategic projects of the National Railways Programme, which was launched by the UAE government in December 2021.
UAE’s largest transportation system
The Programme forms the largest land transport system in the UAE, which is set outline the future of the railway sector in the coming years, in addition to providing freight rail and integrated transportation services.
“Through this agreement, we will move full steam ahead with our mission to provide passenger railway services, which will bolster public transport system in the UAE and the wider region,” noted Engr. Malak.
“Etihad Rail is an essential component of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rail network, and this agreement brings us one step closer towards realising our strategic goals of strengthening the UAE’s reputation as a regional and global transport hub,” he added.
“Etihad Rail is proof of the sense of vision and purpose that makes the UAE distinct. By connecting the United Arab Emirates through a fully integrated rail network, Etihad Rail will bring significant economic and social benefits to the businesses and communities it serves, empowering future growth and providing opportunities for all. FAB is proud to support Etihad Rail in fulfilling this important project which will drive forward economic development for our nation,” observed Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Extensive rail services network
With the launch of the railway passenger services, the passenger trains will strengthen connectivity between the UAE by connecting 11 cities and locations in the country from Al Sila (350 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi close to the border with Saudi Arabia) to Fujairah. Travelling at a speed of 200 kmph, with a capacity of 400 passengers per train, the number of passengers is expected to increase to reach more than 36.5mn passengers annually across the country by 2030.
Passengers will be able to commute between Abu Dhabi to Dubai in only 50 minutes, between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in only 100 minutes, between Dubai and Fujairah in only 50 minutes, and between Abu Dhabi and Al Ruwais in only 70 minutes.
Etihad Rail is forging ahead towards completing Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network. Stage One of the Network has been operational since 2016. The project is progressing at an accelerated pace with 70% of the project completed in less than 24 months, despite the challenges of the pandemic. Etihad Rail has cooperated with 180 entities and issued more than 40 thousand official papers.
The project involves more than 27,000 experts, specialists, and workers operating at more than 3,000 construction sites across the UAE, putting in 76 million work hours so far using more than 6,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment.
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