Etihad Rail, the developer of UAE's integrated railway network, showcased its virtual reality experience, planned network maps and an insight into future passenger operations at the Middle East Rail expo in Dubai.

Etihad Rail played a key role at the region’s largest rail exhibition and conference being held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, the chairman of Etihad Rail, and Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, chief executive of Etihad Rail, hosted a series of discussions with international rail delegates across the event, including Paul Maynard MP, UK Rail Minister,  Philip Parham, UK Ambassador to the UAE, and Dr Rumaih al Rumaih, the president of Saudi Railways Organisation and the Public Transport Authority.

Speaking at the event, Al Marar said: "Middle East Rail presents a great opportunity for Etihad Rail to showcase this important mega project, and its progress, across the region."

“We are particularly delighted with the successes we have achieved with Stage One operations over the past 18 months, reaching a historic milestone of over 10 million tonnes of sulphur transported and establishing the UAE as the largest exporter of sulphur in the world," he noted.

"We now look forward to prosperous years ahead as our rail network continues to grow, and this conference is a celebration of this exciting vision," he added.

Following the recent announcement that 10 million tonnes of sulphur has been transported by the fleet as of February 2017, Etihad Rail is present at MER to participate in the ongoing endeavours towards building the region’s first rail network.  

"As an official partner of the event, we are driven to play a critical part in making the region’s expansive rail network a reality. Within this mission, Middle East Rail forms a crucial platform for the leading players of the global rail industry to discuss and collaborate in upcoming projects," stated Al Mazrouei.

Since its inaugural edition in 2007, MER has grown to become the most influential rail event in the region hosting over 400 exhibitors in the expo section and 200 speakers in the conference.-TradeArabia News Service