Chairman’s message

Building on the foresight of our wise leadership, the United Arab Emirates has made rigorous efforts over the past few decades to solidify its global position across several vital sectors. This has been accomplished through strategic initiatives that elevated the nation to a leading position in global competitiveness reports.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Chairman of Etihad Rail

“Among the most prominent of these national strategic projects is Etihad Rail, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country. Spanning 900 km across the country, the National Railway Network connects key ports and hubs, facilitating the efficient movement of freight and passengers from Al Ghuwaifat to Fujairah.

Through the National Railway Network, Etihad Rail has successfully pioneered a new and vital sector, creating the railway industry in the country. This provides a means of transportation that integrates with other modes of transport, enabling us to create end-to-end solutions that can reshape the way goods and people move around the country and opening new corridors and opportunities at every level.

At a local level, through the integration of a new and efficient mode of transport with centres of industry and production, major population centres, and import and export points across the country, Etihad Rail is working to achieve this integrated connectivity of cities and industries in a safe and sustainable manner. Regionally, Etihad Rail will play a key role in the planned GCC Railway Network, whilst at a global level, our network will feed into global supply chains.

As a result, our network significantly reinforces the United Arab Emirates' regional and global standing as a hub for leadership and excellence, enhancing competitiveness across a diverse range of sectors. Launched as part of the UAE Railway Programme, under the “Projects of the 50” - a comprehensive array of national strategic initiatives - it aims to lay the foundation for the nation's growth, both domestically and internationally, over the next half-century.

Viewed from this perspective, the UAE's National Railway Network emerges as a key catalyst for several forward-looking national aspirations, including ‘UAE Centennial 2071’, which seeks to position the UAE as the best country in the world by its centenary. The railway is also recognised as a vital strategic economic pillar, actively contributing to the realisation of the targets set by ‘Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’. This involves the establishment of an open, dynamic, and influential business environment that can seamlessly integrate into the global economy. Moreover, it plays a critical role in supporting the UAE Net Zero by 2050 target, positioning the UAE as a regional leader in climate action.”

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Chairman of Etihad Rail