The MENA region is experiencing an unprecedented spate of rail investment. From Africa’s first high-speed rail network in Morocco to Oman’s first ever rail scheme, billions of dollars are being invested in rail and metro projects for the first time.
Today, every country has announced rail or metro plans and in total there are more than $200 billion worth of rail and metro projects either planned or under way in the Middle East. This translates to more than 33,700 km of mainline routes and 3,000 km of new metro lines.
The award of major metro and rail contracts in the Middle East has made the region among the most important sources of new work for all those designing, building, supplying and operating railways.
“The Middle East is perhaps the fastest growing market for rail and transit in the world,” says Cosema Crawford, senior vice president and rail and transit global practice leader at Louis Berger.
“Cities are growing and mobility is increasing, driving the need for robust public transportation networks. High-speed rail networks are being built in great numbers, particularly in China, which now boasts about half of the world’s systems,” adds Crawford, who will be speaking at the 10th annual MEED MENA Rail & Metro Summit, which opens in Dubai next month. An increasing number of system suppliers have entered the market, which should help stabilize pricing,” he added.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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