Drake & Scull Rail (DSR) is highly optimistic about its prospects of securing contracts on the major rail and urban transport projects underway in the region. The company has refined its manpower and technologies and is well equipped to assume leadership role in the development of the regional rail and metro networks. Speaking on the sidelines of the company's participation at the 2015 Middle East Rail Summit, Khaldoun Al Tabari, CEO and Vice-Chairman of Drake & Scull International, expressed his confidence in DSR's potential growth for the industry in 2015. “We saw some positive momentum towards the launching of the rail network creation activities in our region in 2014. Regional governments have recognized that rising populations have exerted pressure on existing road infrastructure, and only a dedicated rail and metro network can ensure swift and efficient transport of people and goods. According to an Ashurst study in November 2014, the GCC Rail alone is expected to span 2100 km in length, with the UAE and KSA constituting the bulk of the rail network. However, the recent uncertainty regarding the 2018 launch target for the ambitious GCC rail has tempered the regional industry's expectations to realistic levels.” Moreover, he said “if we look across the region, Abu Dhabi has committed to spending $82 billion on enhancing its transport infrastructure by 2030 as per “Plan Abu Dhabi 2030”, the Dubai government recently launched the Tram network which it aims to expand along with the Dubai Metro which has been a runaway success. In KSA, the Saudi Railways Commission is developing the $5.3 Billion Saudi Railway Company Line, the Landbridge project, the $7 Billion Haramain High Speed Rail and the $15 Billion Makkah Mass Rail Transit project. The $12 Billion Jeddah Metro and $22 Billion Riyadh Metro too are gaining traction, with significant project awards expected this year. Moving onto Qatar, conservative estimates have pegged Qatar's spend on the Qaar Integrated Rail programme to be in the region of $40 Billion, with the Doha Metro being crucial to address the need for urban transport in the context of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “We have made significant progress and are tendering for many of the high profile rail projects in the GCC. We have entered into strategic partnerships with leading rail experts from around the world on several of these tenders, and are very confident about securing a major portion of the MEP works on some of these projects, “ he further said. “Our work on the Dubai Airport Passenger Movement Rail, along with our rich experience in the development of rail networks, depot, tunnels and stations proves our strong engineering foundation, and our familiarity with the region's safety standards. Our ability to offer European engineering skills, with our extensive regional footprint through Drake & Scull's global network of offices, and our proven track record of major rail works remains unmatched and we look forward to helping create a robust rail network in the regional that will prove to be a boon to the region's commerce and local population.” Drake & Scull Rail is an internationally recognized enterprise with a proven record of over 40 years, in delivering turnkey rail construction and maintenance projects in Europe and East Asia. Drake & Scull Rail offers complete EPC solutions for all systems and services for Stations, Depots and Tunnels, catering to industrial, manufacturing, governmental and railroad clients across MENA and South Asia. Formed by global construction giant Drake & Scull International PJSC, Drake & Scull Rail have completed many rail projects in the UK and Far East rail markets covering a range of complex requirements for railway engineering systems. These projects include underground metro networks, high-speed rail, urban commuter rail, and iconic rail terminus' and rolling stock maintenance depots. Based in UAE, Drake & Scull Rail have the ability to address the needs of the growing rail sector in the MENA region, utilizing Drake & Scull International PJSC's network of global offices, with the capability to undertake railway system projects, MEP and civil works in-house. — SG
