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 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.
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The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
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8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
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- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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Men:
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
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- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Liverpool 4 (Salah (pen 4, 33', & pen 88', Van Dijk (20')
Leeds United 3 (Harrison 12', Bamford 30', Klich 66')
Man of the match Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
