Transportation Minister participates in Saudi International Rail Exhibition and Conference in Riyadh
Riyadh, Oct. 19 (BNA): Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, participated in the Saudi International Rail Exhibition and Conference, held in Riyadh from October 19 to 20 under the patronage of Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event brought together ministers, experts, and decision-makers in the transport and logistics sectors from around the world.
During the conference, the Transportation Minister took part in a high-level ministerial dialogue at the opening ceremony, which discussed "Railway Development Strategies: Aligning Infrastructure Projects with Long-Term Economic Visions," alongside ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other Arab countries.
He emphasised that the King Hamad Causeway project represents an essential component of the GCC’s logistical integration, linking the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national network with Saudi Arabia’s railway system. He noted that the King Hamad International Station will serve as a key hub for transport and logistics in Bahrain, boosting regional trade and generating major economic benefits.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed explained that the Kingdom has established a comprehensive regulatory and legislative framework to safeguard national and economic interests, through Decree-Law (35) of 2025 approving the Unified Law on International Land Transport among the GCC states, which ensures full national oversight of transport, safety, and customs clearance operations.
He added that Bahrain continues to strengthen links between Khalifa bin Salman Port, Bahrain International Airport, and logistics zones to achieve effective integration across sea, air, and land through an intelligent and sustainable transport network, enhancing the Kingdom’s standing in global logistics performance indicators in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
The Transportation Minister further noted that shifting from conventional transport systems to integrated railway solutions will improve traffic flow, reduce carbon emissions, and increase the efficiency of supply chains and non-oil trade, highlighting Bahrain’s commitment to adopting advanced digital technologies and smart systems to ensure full integration of ports, airports, and logistics centres.
The Saudi International Rail Exhibition and Conference is one of the region’s largest specialised transport events, featuring over 200 international speakers, 250 sponsors and exhibitors, and attracting more than 12,000 visitors. It focuses on advancing sustainable transport systems, showcasing innovative high-speed rail technologies, and promoting multimodal transport integration to support economic development, reduce emissions, and improve logistics efficiency.
