Minister of Transport H.E. Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti recently presided over the 26th Meeting of the GCC Ministers of Transport in Qatar, attended by transportation ministers from GCC member states and GCC Secretary-General H.E. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
In his opening remarks, Al Sulaiti highlighted the critical role of cooperation among GCC transport ministers in driving regional development and strengthening economic and social integration. He emphasized that recent years have witnessed a significant shift in collective efforts across various sectors, yielding notable successes that contribute to the region’s comprehensive growth.
Al Sulaiti underscored the strategic importance of the transportation sector, which plays a foundational role in the development plans of GCC countries. He pointed to ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity, including the expansion of highways and the diversification of passenger and cargo transport options.
Among the key projects, the GCC Railways Project stands out, designed to link member states through an integrated rail network. The project aims to facilitate trade movement, connect logistics hubs and industrial zones with major ports, and promote economic growth by enhancing trade routes with Asia and Europe. Al Sulaiti announced that the project is progressing steadily and is expected to be operational by 2030.
The minister also highlighted advancements in GCC ports, which now rank highly on the World Bank’s port performance indicators due to increased capacity and efficiency. He attributed this progress to the directives of GCC leaders, who have prioritized eco-friendly infrastructure and smart technology integration to support carbon neutrality initiatives, earning international recognition for their achievements.
During the meeting, the GCC transport ministers addressed several key topics, including updates on the GCC Railways Authority, the General Agreement for Rail Connectivity, and regulations for land and maritime transportation. Decisions were also made regarding merchant vessel access to GCC waters, uniform driving license conditions for offshore units, and other critical matters to further enhance regional cooperation in transportation.
