Works under way with Chinese-led consortium to implement Land Bridge project in Saudi Arabia

Works under way with Chinese-led consortium to implement Land Bridge project in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH — Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser announced that the Saudi authorities are working with a consortium, led by a leading Chinese company and participated by 11 international companies, to implement the Land Bridge railway project.

Addressing the second edition of the Municipal Investment Forum (FURAS) at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center here on Wednesday, the minister said that negotiations are under way to determine the final cost and financing of the project.

“The project, linking the eastern and western parts of Saudi Arabia, is considered as one of the most important projects, of which the design works have been completed, and the path and detailed designs have been determined,” he said.

Al-Jasser said that there is another path to implement the project with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in the event of not reaching an agreement with the companies.

The Land Bridge project would connect the Kingdom’s seaports on the Red Sea coast with the seaports on the coast of the Arabian Gulf via Riyadh. The minister said the Land Bridge project includes seven integrated logistical areas.

“Implementation of 22 out of 59 logistical areas has so far been completed, of which 13 have been identified to integrate with the