The National Committee for Railways at the National Transport Authority met yesterday to discuss progress of the Etihad Rail, the UAE's national freight and passenger railway network.

The first meeting of the committee, which was attended by representatives of 14 federal and local entities, also reviewed observations of the committee members on the federal draft law regarding the railway.

The final version of the proposed legislation will be submitted to the Federal Cabinet for approval.

The railway network will be built in phases to link the principal centres of population and industry of the UAE, as well as to form a vital part of the planned GCC railway network linking the six countries of the GCC: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Built to international standards, Etihad Rail's state-of-the-art network will act as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development. Once complete, the railway will redefine logistics and transport in the region; thus providing a modern, safe, efficient and sustainable network which will connect the UAE and its regions to its neighbouring GCC countries.