Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler's representative in Al Dhafra Region, inaugurated track-laying works across Al Dhafrah Region in Package A of Stage Two of the UAE's national railway, during his visit to Etihad Rail's railhead in Al Ruwais. He was accompanied by Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport and Etihad Rail board member and senior executives from the company. Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by Shadi Malak, chief executive officer of Etihad Rail, on construction progress of Package A, which will connect the UAE rail network to Al Ghuwaifat on the Saudi border and the wider GCC region. Having started in early 2020, steady progress has been made on construction of Package A, which is now 59% complete. Sheikh Hamdan reiterated that the UAE, under the wise leadership of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, is committed to advanced and integrated infrastructure projects, in particular in the transport sector, which will support the sustainable development of the UAE. He expressed his appreciation for the continuous support of the UAE's wise leadership for a project that is enhancing the UAE's status both locally and regionally. With the support of Sheikh Theyab Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and chairman of Etihad Rail, the project has achieved key milestones, with construction progress of Stage Two accelerated, while Etihad Rail's Stage One continues to overachieve, with 2020 operations out performing 2019's results. A presentation to Sheikh Hamdan on progress being made across Package A revealed that half of the soil preparation works have been completed, with 79% of sand and rock cutting also finished. Overall, 59% of Package A construction works have already concluded. As the strategic enabler of the UAE's ambition to become a global hub for advanced logistics operations, he stressed the need to continue developing all four packages of Stage Two, according to the highest international standards. He also emphasized that the project aligns with one of the most important pillars of the UAE's preparations for the next 50 years, and is a major contributor to the growth of the national economy, as the development of a national railway network enables a sustainable transport sector. He praised the efforts made by the Etihad Rail team, under the leadership Sheikh Theyab to expand the horizons of the transport sector and in doing so, to improve the well-being and happiness of every citizen and resident in the UAE. During the presentation Malak referred to the directives of Sheikh Hamdan during his visit in 2013, on the importance of training and employing young nationals to lead this vital sector, pointing out that the company's team includes several Emiratis working in key positions. In addition, he stated that Etihad Rail has established the first railway diploma in the UAE, to train and qualify the young Emiratis to be the driving force for this strategic national project, and confirmed that the first batch of students graduated in 2020 and already working on site. He also met with Emirati employees working on the project, including graduates from the railway diploma and he stressed the importance of developing a new generation of Emirati talent to lead the evolution of this vital sector. — SG
