Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network, has signed a Joint Partnership Agreement with the General Administration of Customs in Abu Dhabi, aimed at developing freight transport requirements, and enabling trains to travel more efficiently through the adoption of best practices and smart electronic technology.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Rail; and Jassim Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office and Acting Chairman of the Department of Finance, attended the signing ceremony.

The Joint Partnership Agreement was signed by Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director-General of the General Administration of Customs in Abu Dhabi, and Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail.

Regarding the agreement, H.H. Sheikh Theyab said, "This joint partnership agreement represents an important step in Etihad Rail’s future strategy and contributes to its vision of safely and sustainably connecting regions and integrating industries through rail-based transport. This will strengthen the role of the Etihad Rail project in promoting the UAE’s international trade and facilitate customs clearance, as well as establish a significant shift in the logistics sector by providing an efficient and sustainable rail network and unique shipping solutions in the UAE."

The Etihad Rail national railway project is elevating the transport and shipping sector in the UAE by connecting ports, manufacturing and production points, and population centers; and therefore, contributing to saving both time and resources to help companies reach their growth potential.

"We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Etihad Rail and to be working together to strengthen the UAE's leading role in the logistics sector, both regionally and globally. The agreement is in line with the Abu Dhabi Customs Authority's vision of security and a prosperous economy, in order to achieve a global economic leadership position through enhancing more qualified and effective paths," said Jassim Al Zaabi.

Stage Two, when completes, will run for 605 kilometers from Ghuweifat to Fujairah through Khalifa Port and the ports of Khor Fakkan, Jebel Ali and Fujairah, followed by a number of future routes to complete the network.

We accept Guest Posts