The Qatar Railways Company, which oversees the construction of a major integrated railway network, won the Visionary Project of the Year Award at the sixth Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum in New York.

Organised by CG/LA Infrastructure Inc., the forum focuses on infrastructure projects locally, regionally, and globally, and identifies real opportunities in the dynamic global infrastructure marketplace.

“Qatar Rail is one of a number of transformational projects that aim to continue the progress of Qatar through Qatar’s National Vision 2030, The Qatar National Strategy, The Qatar National Development Framework 2012 – 2032 and The Transport Master Plan for Qatar,” Saad Al Muhannadi said while giving an introduction about Qatar Rail.

He said these parameters have led to the establishment of Qatar Rail as a company to undertake the planning, design, construction and subsequent operation of the Rail networks.

“The State of Qatar has a very clear vision and strategy for the future of the country; at Qatar Rail we support the four pillars of this National Vision: Economic, Social, Human and Environmental Development – including the significant benefits of reducing congestion and emissions – and leading to the more efficient movement of people and goods,” Al Muhannadi added.

“The Qatar Rail project will be a catalyst of growth across the nations’ all economic segments and will create countless investment and economic opportunities, in addition to becoming a platform for exchange of knowledge and the development of expertise in manufacturing of locomotives and other related fields.”

Al Muhanndi said the integrated rail system, to be developed and managed by Qatar Rail, will be an essential part of Qatar’s urban infrastructure and to be recognized as one of the most successful, safe and environmentally- friendly railways systems in the world.

“We believe that to succeed we need to collaborate closely with our stakeholders, forming effective partnerships with all our partners and learning from other International best practice.  We have an ambitious program. Our opening of the Metro is driven by commissioning in time for having a smooth service for the public,” he added.

“As some next steps, we are moving a number of key areas forward during this year – and to overcome a significant number of challenges, but in pursuit of helping realize the vision of a nation, as we transform our economy and provide a state-of-the-art transportation network,” Al Muhannadi concluded. – TradeArabia News Service