Muscat – The sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, is participating in Middle East Rail 2023 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. A two-day event, it is a regional rail show for innovation, technology and strategy in the sector.

H E Said Hamoud al Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, represented Oman at the event opening.

The minster and his accompanying delegation viewed the latest railway development projects in the Middle East and global infrastructure. They also visited several pavilions of companies specialising in transport and railways.

Oman and UAE have formed a joint company – Oman-Etihad Rail Company – to develop and operate the UAE-Oman rail network.

The company will lay the groundwork and work plan for the project, including its financing and schedule. The company will also handle the design, development and operations of the rail network, which will connect Sohar and Abu Dhabi, in line with the criteria and standards of the two countries.

In a major step towards the development of the rail network, the company launched a prequalification tender for civil works of the network in March this year.

Middle East Rail 2023 expects to welcome around 6,000 attendees, 400 speakers, 300 exhibitors and 600 VIPs from across the industry.

Its agenda will include a three-track conference, presentations, peer-to-peer networking, panel discussions and interviews involving and led by leading figures, senior executives and key decision-makers.

The conference will cover a range of relevant topics, including connectivity, intelligent systems, automation, safe processes, Internet of Things, data analysis, sustainable operations and more.