Holland Gulf Chamber of Commerce » bahrain

GCC moves closer to railway project implementation

jochemgeheniau — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 14:31:47 +0000

Plans are under way for the construction of a second causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, parallel to the King Fahd Causeway, a senior Bahraini official told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The new causeway, he added, will serve as a railway link between the two countries, part of a larger regional Gulf railway network project.
In his exclusive comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Bahraini Transport Minister Kamal Bin Ahmad stated that the precise location of the railway causeway will be decided in July 2014.
He said Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are set to determine the company that be responsible for administrating the feasibility studies, which will decide the precise location of the causeway.
Ahmad indicated that the new causeway will most probably be constructed parallel to the 1986 King Fahd Causeway.
The minister clarified that a team composed of five parties, including the Saudi transport and finance ministries, their Bahraini counterparts, and the King Fahd Causeway Authority have completed a series of private negotiations with consultants.
The company chosen to conduct feasibility studies for the rail causeway will be announced next week.
The Bahraini transport minister also confirmed that feasibility studies for the causeway would be completed before July 2014. The two countries hope to have a complete picture of the project by the end of next year, he added.
Ahmad said he considered the Gulf railway project to be one of the most important regional cooperative projects being implemented by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
According to the minister, GCC leaders have set end of 2018 as the deadline for the completion of construction of the railway causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
The minister underlined that significant progress has been made in studies regarding how the causeway will link with pre-existing railway networks in Bahrain.
He said the network would link into the Saudi railway network via Dammam.
The GCC is planning to extend freedom of movement and interconnection through the cross-border Gulf railway network.
It will connect the six GCC states from Kuwait in the East all the way to Saudi Arabia in the West, while ranging south as far as Muscat.
Each state has mapped out prospective railway lines within their own territory.
This railway network will connect with existing rail networks in the six GCC states forming a huge Gulf railway network.
The Gulf railway network will range approximately 1,348 miles, starting in Kuwait City then passing through Dammam, Doha, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and finally reaching Sohar and Muscat in Oman.

Feasibility studies for GCC railway project under way

jochemgeheniau — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 09:05:45 +0000

Two international firms will conduct feasibility studies for the proposed multibillion-riyal railway project that would link the six-member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), it was revealed at a recent meeting here of the GCC transport ministers.
Bahraini Minister of Transport Kamal bin Ahmad said the two companies would conduct technical, consultative and engineering studies. He did not specify a timetable for the start of the project.
Bin Ahmad said that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain’s ministries of finance and transport agreed to appoint the General Organization of the King Fahd Causeway as the body to choose the company that would oversee the project.
The Bahraini minister said the technical specifications for the project have been drawn up. In addition, the six Gulf states have been asked to double check the coordinates for the railway lines, junctions and stations, to ensure paying the minimum cost possible and adherence to environmental safety standards.
He said it was unlikely the project would cost $11 billion as estimated by the World Bank. “The costs are much less than what the initial studies indicated.”
Saudi Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry said the six nations were focusing much attention on the project. “There is a big movement and lobbying to implement the decision of the higher council of GCC states to complete the project by 2018,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdullah bin Jumah Al-Shalabi, assistant secretary general for economic affairs, said in a press release that the meeting also discussed marine transport issues including the safety of small and cargo ships not covered by international naval treaties, and piracy problems off the Somali coast and in the Gulf of Aden.
Meanwhile, construction is progressing on the Bridge of Love (Jisser Al-Mahabah) announced in 1999 between Bahrain and Qatar, the Bahraini minister said.

Oct 15 first day of Eid Al Adha in most Muslim countries… Holidays from Oct 14?

jochemgeheniau — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 09:03:31 +0000

The first day of Eid Al Adha is expected be on Tuesday, October 15, in most Islamic countries, according to a statement on Sunday from the Islamic Crescents’ Observation Project (Icop).
The statement says, “The sighting of the crescent should be possible in most regions of the world with naked eyes on Sunday October 6, 2013, therefore, it is predictable that day will be the 1st of Dhu Al Hijjah 1434 AH, and therefore the 10th Dhul Al Hijjah 1434 AH, or Tuesday 15th October 2013, is expected to be the first day of Eid Al Adha”.

Earlier report:

Eid Al Adha holidays: 3 days for private sector?
The UAE private sector staff can look forward to a three-day paid leave.
Eid Al Adha holidays in October are to begin, according to Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (Iacad), on Monday, October 14 – the Waqfat Arafat day.
They will, thus, be off from October 14, Monday until Wednesday, the 16th.
Private sector employees will return to work on Thursday, the 17th.

Government Holidays
The government and federal institutions in the UAE are likely to enjoy a six-day holiday for Eid Al Adha in October.
Eid holidays will begin from October 14, Monday until Saturday the 19th, according to a calendar prepared by Iacad.
The holiday includes the day of Waqfat Arafat – the day before Eid Al Adha which will fall on (Monday) – followed by three days of Eid and a Friday-Saturday weekend.
Thus, government and federal institution staff can look forward to a six-day holiday in October. They will return to work on October 20.

GCC traffic infrastructure projects at USD109b

jochemgeheniau — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 08:01:20 +0000

DUBAI – Ongoing roads and bridges developments across the GCC are currently valued at $109 billion according to the most recent figures from business advisory and research firm, Ventures Middle East.
The UAE, second worldwide for roads quality in the latest Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, has investments worth $58 billion in the pipeline for roads and bridges alone, while neighbor Saudi Arabia is undertaking infrastructural improvement projects valued at $77 billion that includes roads, bridges and rail.
As the host of the 2022 Football World Cup, Qatar leads the 2013 boom with an allocation of $20 billion for roads and highways, in addition to a $35 billion rail network. The combined share of roads and bridges projects in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia meanwhile represents more than 75 percent of the total $109 billion pot.
Oman is securing $14.8 billion on roads, rail and bridges infrastructure in the coming few years, while the Kuwaiti budget for infrastructure works is estimated at $13 billion. Bahrain meanwhile also declared earlier in 2013 that it will spend more than $2.5 billion on major road, bridge, and tunnel networks. The figures signify good news for the hundreds of transport infrastructure service providers participating at the Gulf Traffic exhibition and conference, taking place on Dec. 9 to 11, 2013 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Supported by Abu Dhabi Police and SAEED, the three-day event will bring together more than 100 exhibitors from 20 countries involved in the design, build, and maintenance of the region’s road, rail, parking and public transport projects.
Richard Pavitt, Exhibition Director for Gulf Traffic, said: “The Gulf region has been at the forefront of transport infrastructure developments for several years now, and 2013 marks another big year, where dozens of new projects have been announced across the six Gulf states.”
“Gulf Traffic will bring together industry leaders from across the globe involved in road, rail, public transport and parking industries. Suppliers will be able to showcase new trends and technologies offering cutting edge insights and industry solutions.”
Now in its tenth edition, Gulf Traffic focuses on the four key transport industry sectors including traffic infrastructure, parking, road safety, and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
Organized by Informa Exhibitions, the region’s foremost transport infrastructure event is also supported by ITS Arab, with the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) signing on as Knowledge Partner.
The show returns this year with the Gulf Traffic Conference, bringing together senior-level professionals and government officials presenting the latest on road and safety management trends and global implementations of ITS.

Unified GCC tourist visa could be reality soon

jochemgeheniau — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 10:06:10 +0000

Work to set up a computer system to exchange data underway: Official
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is headed towards a unified tourist visa as early as 2014, according to a senior official with the committee.
“The GCC is currently striving to set up a computer system to exchange data in order to facilitate the issuance of a unified tourist visa for the entire region,” Abdullah Al-Shobaily, assistant secretary-general for economic matters at the GCC, told Saudi newspaper, Al-Hayat daily.
According to Al-Shobaily, no timeframe has been set for the implementation of this single visa for the region.
He added: “Hammering out an agreement between the six GCC member states requires the completion of several technical and other formalities, including the installation of an information exchange system between government departments in the member states.”
The agenda was discussed during a recent sitting of the Tourism Cooperation Committee of the GCC and the Gulf Tourism Committee of the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers in Fujairah.

Economics has been cited as the driving force behind this decision with a bid to promote tourism within the six-member nations by simplifying visa procedures for tourists.
Meanwhile, Al-Shobaily was also quoted as saying that unified GCC laws against commercial fraud and consumer protection are also in the final stages, to protect the rights of consumers, manufacturers, distributors, importers and exporters, as well as the economies of the six countries.
The Gulf Customs Union, set for a tentative schedule of 2015, will combat the sale of counterfeit goods within the GCC.
“The GCC Ministries of Commerce strive to heighten awareness of consumers about their rights besides providing them with goods and services of high quality at reasonable prices. The rights of traders and investors to make a reasonable profit will also be protected,” he said.

Causeway capacity boosted amid congestion complaints

jochemgeheniau — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 08:30:19 +0000

DAMMAM — The King Fahd Causeway that links Saudi Arabia to Bahrain is undergoing an ambitious development program that has dramatically driven up its capacity, according to the director of the King Fahd Causeway Authority.

Badr Al-Otaishan told Al-Sharq daily that two islands will be constructed on either side of the bridge to increase capacity. Each island will be able to hold 250,000 travelers daily.
Customs and passport checks will be moved to the islands and the distance between them will be 20 km to ensure that the traffic on the Bahraini side does not extend to the Saudi side.
Al-Otaishan said a short-term plan to eliminate pavements and water fountains has expanded the causeway from 10 lanes to 18 lanes wide.

Al-Otaishan linked the heavy queuing on the causeway to the large number of Saudi families going to Bahrain, a number greater than the causeway’s capacity. He pointed out that 18.5 million passengers crossed the bridge in 2012 alone. The director said the short distance of 300 meters between the Bahraini and Saudi sides and the different customs procedures and passport checks employed on each side may be contributing to the delays.

Railway along King Fahd Causeway under study

jochemgeheniau — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 08:24:57 +0000

The governments of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are studying the possibility of building a railway line parallel to King Fahd Causeway to ease the flow of goods between the two countries. This is part of a larger 2,177 km Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) railway project that will connect Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Bahraini Transport Minister Kamal Ahmad said studies are under way to determine the project’s feasibility. “The Saudi and Bahraini governments have charged five organizations to study the possibility of building a bridge that will hold railway tracks parallel to King Fahd Causeway,” said Ahmad.
The five organizations are the two countries’ ministries of finance and transportation and the King Fahd Causeway Authority. Ahmad said the project would link up with an internal network of railways and ports in the two countries. “This will include two lanes, one for the railway tracks and the other for cars.” On cargo blockages between the two countries, he said: “Our country is pursuing, with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia, to develop regulations to transport goods via King Fahd Causeway to minimize the amassing of trucks, and to make available enough space for the storage of goods.”
The causeway, added the minister, allowed businessmen of the two countries to transport goods at reduced costs. He said sea transport was more expensive. Khalifa bin Salman Port, which is under the management of global terminal operator APM Terminals, is capable of accommodating all shipment orders if Saudi businesspeople decide to prefer the sea route. The proposed GCC railway project will be 2,177 km starting from Kuwait City, through Dammam then off to Bahrain via the bridge to be built parallel to the causeway. A future project will link Bahrain with Qatar via another causeway.
The project will include a land track that will launch from Dammam to Qatar via Salwa outlet, then to the United Arab Emirates via Albatha outlet, toward Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, extending out to Oman and Muscat, said the minister. The initial cost of the project is an estimated $ 10 billion. The costs will vary depending on whether railway lines are built on land or over the sea. Ahmad said Bahrain approved the technical specifications of the connections. “Technical meetings are ongoing to work out the legal issues of the project, and operations and management according to the highest global standards,” he said.
He said the train would travel at a top speed of 200 km/hr. The deadline for the completion of the project is 2018, as decided by GCC leaders, “which compels us to make haste with construction to meet this deadline.” He said the project would enhance economic integration of the GCC.

New investment to drive Bahrain Al-Areen project

jochemgeheniau — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:11:29 +0000

Bahrain’s Al-Areen project is renewing its momentum with an upgrade of existing hospitality and leisure infrastructure, and the introduction of new facilities.
Senior executives from Al-Areen Holding Company made this announcement at an investors’ seminar held at Al-Areen’s Client Relations Center.
Esam Janahi, representing the owners, unveiled a partnership with US firm Avenue Ventures (AV) — who have completed global transactions valued at $ 15 billion — to acquire a 35 percent stake in Al Areen Holding Company.
AV will be a key partner in upgrading the existing hospitality and leisure facilities, and will also advise on the development of new facilities and components.
Robert W. Sweeney, senior executive vice president of Avenue Ventures, and General Wesley Clark, retired US Army officer, adviser to AV, and former US Presidential candidate and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, were present at the seminar and endorsed the partnership, while also praising excellent relations between Bahrain and the US.
Esam Janahi said the new partnership represents significant foreign direct investment for Bahrain, in a particularly challenging economic climate.
As part of the investment in Al-Areen City, they will offer advisory expertise and internationally renowned professionals to further enhance the quality of the development.
This will enhance the vision of Al-Areen to provide the highest standards of master development and facility management services to sub-developers.
During the seminar, Janahi said existing facilities will be enhanced by the refurbishment of the Al-Areen Palace and Spa Hotel and the addition of a Clinical Spa and Spa Therapy Training Center, purpose-built and managed by an international operator.
The Lost Paradise of Dilmun (LPOD) Water Park will be upgraded by the addition of an interactive educational component, new rides and other attractions all under a new operator. It was also announced that a key component of the Al-Areen City development will be a new specialized medical center.
In addition to the medical center, new components of the development will include an organic village to provide locally grown produce to the Kingdom’s consumers whilst training a new generation of Bahraini entrepreneurs.
At the same time, Al-Areen’s existing facilities will be modified to bring them into line with environmental best practices, including solar energy for all installations, advanced wastewater treatment plants and the associated production of biogas.
All of these initiatives are expected to attract considerable interest from local and regional visitors, and further details on these two newly introduced components will be announced in the near future.
General Clark emphasized the positive message this new investment sends to the Bahraini market.
He said: “After years of economic and social challenges globally and locally, an investment of this magnitude by a well-established American company in this project at this time shows that the project will realize its long term viability.”
He added: “It also reaffirms the continued attractiveness of Bahrain as a gateway destination for investment capital which will contribute to the future growth prospects of the region as a whole.”
Following the briefing and a tour of the facilities, Janahi said: “In the current financial climate, it is heartening to see that foreign direct investment can still be achieved, mirroring the model we introduced years ago with foreign investors injecting private equity into in Bahrain.”
Janahi added: “Al-Areen City will not only bring international operators into the country but will also create jobs for hundreds of Bahrainis, and enhance the South of the island as a leisure and tourism destination.”
Robert Sweeney of AV said: “We welcome this exciting investment opportunity in the further development of Al-Areen City.”
He added: “We feel that our expertise in similar developments abroad can add value to the development with its leisure, hospitality and residential offerings. Plans are already in place for the development’s upgrade and we look forward to being part of the announcement of further details in the coming months.”

KSA-Bahrain rail link to be studied

jochemgeheniau — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:58:04 +0000

A team of experts from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain recently held talks in Manama to discuss the feasibility of a rail link between the two neighbors separated by the Arabian Sea.

At the meeting, the participants decided to conduct a study. The idea is to build a rail link to run parallel to the King Fahd Causeway that connects Alkhobar with Manama.

Members of the causeway authorities on both sides attended the meeting.

Representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as well as private sector companies joined them in the all-important deliberations.

The proposal to build the rail link is expected to cost around $ 4.2 billion.

Among the key issues explored was a build-operate-transfer option, which would involve the project becoming a private sector undertaking and supervised by the government.

Private sector companies are expected to form a consortium to give them the capability to take on such a large project.

Discussions will conclude with recommendations, an action plan and resolutions for decision-makers in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to mandate the way forward. One of the participants said the railways had helped advance economic development in Europe, the Americas and the Far East and the Gulf would be no different.

“Instead of taking a plane, you can take the train and it is probably faster because you don’t have to check into the airport or take time through arrivals,” he said.

“When we want to travel on King Fahd Causeway and it is congested, the train will pass through much quicker,” he said.

The feasibility report is expected to be finalized by the end of 2014.