Eaton: Riyadh Metro Backbone of Most Developed Infrastructure in Region

Frank Ackland, Eaton Middle East general manager. Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic.
Frank Ackland, Eaton Middle East general manager. Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic.
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Eaton: Riyadh Metro Backbone of Most Developed Infrastructure in Region

Frank Ackland, Eaton Middle East general manager. Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic.
Frank Ackland, Eaton Middle East general manager. Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic.

US Eaton company expected that Riyadh Metro, owned and managed by High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, will be the biggest transport system in the cities to be established from scratch. The project represents the backbone of infrastructure in the city, not to mention that it is one of the most advanced and developed projects on a technical level.

Frank Ackland, Eaton Middle East general manager, stated to Asharq Al-Awsat that the new railway, which is still under construction, will be composed of six metro lines with 85 stations, and a total length of approximately 110 miles.

He hailed the fact that Riyadh has made impressive strides in reinforcing emergency lighting solutions in favor of Riyadh Metro project, along with supplying all central electrical systems to observe and supply all emergency lighting systems inside the stations and along the three metro lines.

Ackland noted that this goes in tandem with the Saudi approach, noting that the focus in the kingdom is being put on applying concepts of sustainable and active energy. Lately, there has been huge attention paid to energy saving systems, said Ackland, adding that this would contribute to the stability of the electrical network.

Ackland affirmed that the giant projects taking place in the kingdom attracted the most effective foreign solutions in the market towards the future plans of the Saudi government and the Saudi Vision 2030. The vision aims at developing and improving sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, entertainment and tourism.



UK Economy Shrinks 0.1% in May

The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)
The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)
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UK Economy Shrinks 0.1% in May

The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)
The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)

Britain's economic output shrank by 0.1% in May, official data showed on Friday.

Economists polled by Reuters had mostly forecast that gross domestic product would rise by 0.1% from April's level.

Britain's economy expanded rapidly in the first quarter of 2025, outstripping growth in other countries in the Group of Seven advanced economies. In May the Bank of England revised up its full-year growth forecast to 1%.

However, much of the growth in early 2025 was likely to have been linked to the expiry of a tax break for some home purchases in April which boosted the sector before the deadline, and a rush by manufacturers to beat higher US import tariffs.

The BoE has said it thinks the economy grew by about 0.25% in the second quarter of 2025.