• Etihad Rail's locomotives on the line. The freight network extends across the UAE. Photo: Etihad Rail
    Etihad Rail's locomotives on the line. The freight network extends across the UAE. Photo: Etihad Rail
  • Shadi Malak, chief executive of Etihad Rail, and Abdulrahman Salim Al Hatmi, chief executive of Oman's state-owned logistics company Asyad, sign the co-operation deal to link the UAE and Oman by rail. Photo: Oman News Agency
    Shadi Malak, chief executive of Etihad Rail, and Abdulrahman Salim Al Hatmi, chief executive of Oman's state-owned logistics company Asyad, sign the co-operation deal to link the UAE and Oman by rail. Photo: Oman News Agency
  • The deal includes connecting the UAE's existing freight services line to Sohar port, the sultanate's deep-sea port. Photo: Etihad Rail
    The deal includes connecting the UAE's existing freight services line to Sohar port, the sultanate's deep-sea port. Photo: Etihad Rail
  • Oman Rail and Etihad Rail will establish a joint company to launch and operate the railway network. Seen in this photo is an inspection train. Victor Besa / The National
    Oman Rail and Etihad Rail will establish a joint company to launch and operate the railway network. Seen in this photo is an inspection train. Victor Besa / The National
  • The company will receive investments amounting to about 1.16 billion Omani rials ($4.14bn). Photo: Wam
    The company will receive investments amounting to about 1.16 billion Omani rials ($4.14bn). Photo: Wam

UAE-Oman rail link: first board meeting discusses fast-track execution plans


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The board of directors of a joint-venture company between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail has held its first meeting to discuss fast-track execution plans.

The meeting of the Oman Rail-Etihad Rail JV Company was held in Dubai, two days after an agreement was signed to form the alliance.

The board discussed implementation plans, including technical studies and architectural design, as well as environmental studies for routes, the business model and the commercial affairs of the joint venture.

The board also committed to adopting the highest global standards for security, safety and sustainability throughout the development of the network, which will extend 303 kilometres, to provide safe and fast passenger transport and freight services, a statement said.

The company has been tasked with laying the groundwork and work plan for the project, including its financial elements and schedule, and will also handle the design, development and operation of the rail network, UAE state news agency Wam said on Thursday.

The agreement to build the rail network was signed on September 29 during a state visit of President Sheikh Mohamed to Oman.

Trains that can reach speeds of 200 kilometres an hour will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar to the north of Muscat, the Oman News Agency said. Freight trains will run at up to 120kph.

The board of directors of Oman Rail-Etihad Rail JV Company, a joint venture between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail has held their first meeting to discuss fast-track execution plans. Photo: Wam
The board of directors of Oman Rail-Etihad Rail JV Company, a joint venture between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail has held their first meeting to discuss fast-track execution plans. Photo: Wam

The deal includes connecting the UAE's existing freight services line to Sohar, the sultanate's deep-sea port.

Passenger trains will run between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 100 minutes, and between Sohar and Al Ain in 47 minutes.

Freight trains will have an annual capacity of 22.5 million tonnes of bulk cargo and 282,000 containers.

The company will receive investments amounting to about 1.16 billion Omani rials ($3bn).

The board of directors includes Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Oman's Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology; Sheikh Nasser Al Harthy, acting vice president of operations affairs at Oman Investment Authority and chairman of the board of directors of Asyad Group; Saeed Al Zaabi, chairman of the board of directors of Etihad Rail Mobility; Abdulrahman Al Hatmi, group chief executive of Asyad Group; and Shadi Malak, chief executive of Etihad Rail.

Ahmed Al Hashemi was appointed as chief executive of the company, and Mohammed Al Mahruqi as deputy chief executive.

“The joint railway network will advance the land transport system between the two countries in line with the best-in-class criteria and standards, providing safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation, which in turn, will further facilitate connectivity between industrial and commercial centres, and cement the longstanding social cohesion between the two countries,” Mr Al Mazrouei said.

The $3 billion railway network will contribute to the growth of the two countries and facilitate cross-border trade by linking commercial ports to the railway network.

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

Like a Fading Shadow

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia on October 10

Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon

Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon

1999 - 1st round

2000 - 1st round

2001 - Quarter-finalist

2002 - 1st round

2003 - Winner

2004 - Winner

2005 - Winner

2006 - Winner

2007 - Winner

2008 - Finalist

2009 - Winner

2010 - Quarter-finalist

2011 - Quarter-finalist

2012 - Winner

2013 - 2nd round

2014 - Finalist

2015 - Finalist

2016 - Semi-finalist

Roll of honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?

Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain

Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles

Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens

Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
%3Cp%3EThe%20new%20UAE%20league%20has%20been%20boosted%20this%20season%20by%20the%20arrival%20of%20five%20Pakistanis%2C%20who%20were%20not%20released%20to%20play%20last%20year.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShaheen%20Afridi%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESet%20for%20at%20least%20four%20matches%2C%20having%20arrived%20from%20New%20Zealand%20where%20he%20captained%20Pakistan%20in%20a%20series%20loss.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShadab%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DThe%20leg-spin%20bowling%20allrounder%20missed%20the%20tour%20of%20New%20Zealand%20after%20injuring%20an%20ankle%20when%20stepping%20on%20a%20ball.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAzam%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EPowerhouse%20wicketkeeper%20played%20three%20games%20for%20Pakistan%20on%20tour%20in%20New%20Zealand.%20He%20was%20the%20first%20Pakistani%20recruited%20to%20the%20ILT20.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMohammed%20Amir%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHas%20made%20himself%20unavailable%20for%20national%20duty%2C%20meaning%20he%20will%20be%20available%20for%20the%20entire%20ILT20%20campaign.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EImad%20Wasim%20(Abu%20Dhabi%20Knight%20Riders)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20left-handed%20allrounder%2C%2035%2C%20retired%20from%20international%20cricket%20in%20November%20and%20was%20subsequently%20recruited%20by%20the%20Knight%20Riders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?

Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
 

The Ashes

Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs

Updated: October 03, 2022, 3:32 AM