Gulf Countries to Complete Railway Project

GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)
GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)
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Gulf Countries to Complete Railway Project

GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)
GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi speaks at the Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the GCC Secretariat General, and the GCC Rail Authority are continuing to finalize the completion stages of the railway linking the GCC countries, announced GCC Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi.

Budaiwi thanked and congratulated the United Arab Emirates on completing the railway construction within its territory and extending it to the border with Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference, he underlined the keenness of Gulf leaders to support the process of joint Gulf action to enhance cooperation to reach the desired integration in all fields.

GCC states have taken thoughtful steps to coordinate and unify their policies and strategies, aiming to crystallize an applicable collective action framework that meets the ambitions and aspirations of their people, he added.

Budaiwi affirmed that the GCC states have been able to complete several strategic integration projects.

He stressed that the efforts of the General Secretariat, the GCC Rail Authority, and member states to complete the railway project represent a significant step in the joint Gulf interdependence and integration given its direct positive impact on trade and the free mobility of citizens and residents of the Gulf.

The project also supports joint investments between the member states and strengthens Gulf economic integration and its impact on the global economy.

Budaiwi remarked that the member states, the General Secretariat, and the Gulf Rail Authority are following up on the implementation of the GCC railway project and some member states have already completed building parts of the project within their territories.



UAE Says to Expand CEPAs in 2025

Al Zeyoudi said the agreements will strengthen rules-based international trade and enhance opportunities for trade in goods, services, and re-exporting. Asharq Al-Awsat
Al Zeyoudi said the agreements will strengthen rules-based international trade and enhance opportunities for trade in goods, services, and re-exporting. Asharq Al-Awsat
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UAE Says to Expand CEPAs in 2025

Al Zeyoudi said the agreements will strengthen rules-based international trade and enhance opportunities for trade in goods, services, and re-exporting. Asharq Al-Awsat
Al Zeyoudi said the agreements will strengthen rules-based international trade and enhance opportunities for trade in goods, services, and re-exporting. Asharq Al-Awsat

Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi has affirmed that the UAE will continue to increase its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) in 2025, targeting additional countries to maximize benefits for the UAE and its global trade partners.

Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted Al Zeyoudi as saying that these agreements will strengthen rules-based international trade, drive sustainable development, increase investments, and enhance opportunities for trade in goods, services, and re-exporting.

In remarks to WAM, Al Zeyoudi explained that the UAE's CEPAs program is designed to expand the country's commercial and investment partnerships worldwide, positioning the UAE as a key gateway for non-oil goods and services and a global hub for business and investment.

He emphasized that these agreements reflect the UAE's vision, which recognizes the vital role of free trade based on clear rules in driving sustainable economic growth and inclusive development. The agreements' diversity and the UAE's ability to form valuable partnerships across five continents significantly increase opportunities for various sectors and open new markets.

Al Zeyoudi pointed out that the CEPAs have already had a positive effect on various areas of the UAE's foreign trade, particularly non-oil trade, re-export services, logistics, clean and renewable energy, technology, financial services, green industries, advanced materials, agriculture, and sustainable food systems.

He explained that CEPAs continue to have a tangible and direct impact on the country's foreign trade data, positively affecting various vital sectors, including the advanced technology sector.

Since the program's launch in September 2021 until early December 2024, the UAE has signed 24 CEPAs with countries and international blocs, covering approximately 2.5 billion people—about a quarter of the global population.

In the first half of 2024, UAE foreign trade reached a historic milestone, surpassing AED1.395 trillion, reflecting an 11.2% growth compared to the same period in 2023. The growth rates reached 28.8%, 54.7%, and 66%, compared to the same periods in 2022, 2021, and 2019, respectively.