Etihad Rail signs MoU with ZonesCorp

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ZonesCorp for the joint planning of railway and logistics facilities within the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). Etihad Rail CEO Dr. Nasser Al Mansoori and ZonesCorp CEO Mohammed Hasan Al Qemzi, signed the MoU in the presence of Nasser Ahmed Alsowaidi, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development, Chairman of Etihad Rail, and Chairman of the Higher Corporation for Special Economic Zones (ZonesCorp). The MoU outlines the collaboration between the two parties to integrate the rail network and terminal within the ICAD IV industrial area. The Abu Dhabi Emirate's largest multimodal terminal will be centred within ICAD IV to cater to ICAD IV's surrounding industrial and logistics customers. Strategically located in close proximity to Abu Dhabi City, major transportation gateways, and logistics hubs, ICAD IV and the rail terminal within will increase industrial contribution to the Emirate's GDP and contribute to economic diversification, in line with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and UAE Vision 2021. Upon completion, the Etihad Rail network, which will cater to both freight and passengers, will span approximately 1,200 kilometres across the Emirates. It will connect urban and peripheral communities, facilitate trade, open up communication channels and foster economic development across all Emirates in the UAE. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west and Oman via Al Ain in the east. – Emirates News Agency, WAM