RAIL-

#3- Jordan-based Arab Center for Engineering Studies (Aces) has been awarded a specialized pile testing contract for the UAE-Oman Railway link, according to a statement published last week. The route — the region’s first cross-border rail network — reportedly spans 238 km, connecting Oman’s Sohar Port to Abu Dhabi, at an investment ticket of USD 2.5 bn, Trade Arabia reports.

On the railway link: The project is spearheaded by Hafeet Rail, a JV comprising Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and Mubadala Investment. It aims to connect five ports, more than 15 integrated freight facilities, and upwards of 12 passenger stations and cities across Oman and the UAE, according to its website.

Part of a larger GCC link: The Oman-UAE link is part of a GCC rail project extending to Kuwait, which has recently advanced its portion of the project by awarding the Turkish engineering and consulting firm Proyapi the design contract for the first phase of an 111 km railway linking Kuwait City to the Saudi border. The GCC rail initiative is projected to cost about USD 200 bn.

TRADE-

Oman, Turkey partner on energy trade: Oman has inked an MoU with Turkey to partner up on projects across several logistics sectors, Times of Oman reports. The sectors include oil and gas, LNG trade, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and alternative fuel trade. The agreement will also see the two cooperate on implementing regulatory policies — and expanding knowledge-sharing — in a bid to improve energy efficiency and adopt innovative tech for the storage, production, and supply of green hydrogen.

ZONES-

Hong Kong-based manufacturer Crystal Martin Group is planning to build a ready-made garments and textile factory in Egypt, according to a statement from the General Authority for Investment and Freezones. A timeline or investment value of the planned 1.5 sq km factory was not given. The new plant would be established in an undisclosed freezone, with production to be earmarked for export to the European Union and US market.

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