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UAE Freezones Biz News Updates
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Etihad Rail Signs MoU with Dubai Industrial City
Etihad Rail - the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway
network - today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Dubai Industrial City for the development of a rail terminal within the
City.
Signed by Dr. Nasser Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Abdulla Khalifa
Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Industrial City, the MoU specifies the logistics
pertaining to the location of the terminal, which will be an important part
of Stage Two of the rail network. The agreement will see Dubai Industrial
City becoming one of Etihad Rail's main public freight terminals in the
Dubai emirate, and paves the way for the destination to become the centre of
non-bonded transport (non-free zone areas) in the Emirate. Furthermore, the
MoU supports Dubai Industrial City's objective to cultivate the growth of
the UAE's manufacturing industry, which the UAE government aims to increase
to comprise 25% of the GDP by 2015.
Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Nasser Al Mansoori, CEO of Etihad Rail, said: "Etihad
Rail is part of a greater vision to drive economic growth and development in
the UAE by bringing geographic markets closer together. The MoU with Dubai
Industrial City is in line with this vision of driving development in all
Emirates in the UAE, enhancing the country's position as a logistics hub by
concentrating all types of cargo in one strategic location. We look forward
to working closely with Dubai Industrial City to develop one of Etihad
Rail's main public freight terminals, and to exploring opportunities with
its growing portfolio of customers from the automotive industry." Abdulla
Khalifa Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Industrial City, also commented: "We are
delighted that Etihad Rail has selected Dubai Industrial City as the
location for one of the main stations in the Emirate. The decision is
further evidence of the key strategic role Dubai Industrial City plays as a
hub for the manufacturing and logistics industry on both a local and
regional scale. The construction of this station - and the Etihad Rail
project more broadly - will greatly contribute to the diversification of
Dubai's economy. It will drive investment in infrastructure, transport and
the wider value chain, while providing additional connectivity and
operational efficiency for companies across the UAE. It will also provide
new links between residential and industrial areas, as well as urban and
remote communities." Belhoul further added: "Connectivity is essential for
manufacturing and logistics businesses. That is why Dubai Industrial City is
strategically located near Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali
Free Zone. The site also has direct access to two major highways, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. The Etihad Rail station will
offer another easy, safe and convenient transportation option, and once
complete, it will help reduce companies' operational costs and speed up the
logistics process." The terminal is to be located within Dubai Industrial
City - which, at 55 square kilometres, is the second largest industrial real
estate project in Dubai - and will incorporate extensive container,
automotive and bulk-handling facilities. The destination boasts close
proximity to the UAE's top hubs for transport, situated 25 km away from
Jebel Ali Port, 50 km away from Khalifa Port, and 5 km away from Al Maktoum
International Airport between roads E311 and E611.
Upon completion, the Etihad Rail network, which will cater to both freight
and passengers, will span approximately 1,200 kilometres across the
Emirates. It will connect urban and peripheral communities, facilitate
trade, open up communication channels and foster economic development across
all Emirates in the UAE. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC
Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west
and Oman via Al Ain in the east.
Jul 16, 2013 |
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Courtesy WAM/ES
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