Qatari Diar announces joint venture with Deutsche Bahn to develop Qatar's railway network

The announcement signals that Qatar's much-anticipated state-of-the-art integrated national railway network will formally move ahead into the development stage.

The signing ceremony took place at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, and included high-level ministerial-level delegations from Qatar and Germany. Mr. Ghanim Bin Saad Al-Saad, Managing Director and CEO of Qatari Diar, signed the joint venture with Dr. Ruediger Grube, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG.

Qatar Railways Development Company, a 51/49 joint venture between Qatari Diar, represented by Qatar Railways Company, and DB, will be the sole entity responsible for developing and integrating Qatar's visionary railway network, encompassing a range of transport modes such as metro systems, long distance passenger travel, and freight transport.

QRDC will unify all planned railways in Qatar, including the Doha metro, Lusail light rail, and West Bay people movers. QRDC will also connect Qatar's network to neighboring countries via the Bahrain-Qatar causeway, to create the region's first fully integrated railway system. By combining traditional elements with state-of-the art modern features, QRDC will create the region's most comfortable, reliable, and safe railway system.

QRDC has already completed an initial study, and agreed on the concept design for the integrated railway network. It is now working with all stakeholders within Qatar to coordinate the planning and construction process, and is preparing to identify additional world class partners needed to undertake this massive Qatari development.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Al-Saad commented:

"This announcement represents the next step in the creation of this visionary Qatari project that will truly revolutionize the ease and convenience by which people travel throughout Qatar and beyond. We are honored to have as our partner the world's premier railway development company, Deutsche Bahn, which will bring its incredible international expertise and experience to the project. Together, we are committed to advancing Qatar's forward-thinking goals of becoming a first-class state that provides a high standard of living for all its residents and is an international destination for industry and tourism."

Dr. Grube added: "The vision and quality of Qatari Diar's projects and staff are of the highest international standards. We could not be more excited to be deepening our long-standing relationship with such a high quality company, and look forward to working together to establish Qatar's railway system as the premiere railway network in the region. We are also pleased that so many of Germany's top government officials could be here with us to show their strong support and belief in Qatar's vision for this important project, and of the quality of Qatari Diar, represented by Qatar Railways Company, as a joint partner."

Deutsche Bahn AG ,with its more than 100 years of experience, is one of the world's leading passenger and logistics companies and operates in 150 countries. The company has achieved worldwide recognition as a provider of transport consulting services on over 2,000 projects in over 100 countries.

The Qatar Railways Network will integrate the several planned railway networks into a unified and connected railway system to enable fast and easy travel for residents, visitors, and cargo throughout Doha and beyond:
1.An east coast rail link, a passenger and freight railway linking Ras Laffan and Mesaieed via Doha
2.A high speed link between the New Doha International Airport, Doha City Center, and Kingdom of Bahrain via the causeway bridge
3.A freight rail link based on the GCC rail and Doha expressway studies
4.A comprehensive Doha Metro Network based on the Qatar Transport Master Plan
5.Multiple Light-rail people mover networks, such as in Lusail, Education City and Westbay

Launched in 2004, Qatari Diar is wholly-owned by the Qatar Investment Authority and currently has more than 30 projects active in more than 18 countries around the world.

German-based Deutsche Bahn AG, with its more than 100 years of experience, is one of the world's leading passenger and logistics companies. The Company has achieved worldwide recognition as a provider of transport consulting services on over 2,000 projects in over 100 countries.