Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), welcomed Dr. Shaikh Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, in a meeting that reinforced the two countries’ commitment to deepening collaboration in transport and infrastructure to support regional socio-economic growth.
The ministers reviewed progress and future plans to implement a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on exchanging technical and administrative expertise, enhancing national workforce training, and advancing joint projects in sustainable mobility, autonomous driving, and digital transformation. They emphasized cooperation on developing ports and logistics infrastructure to improve competitiveness and align with evolving global maritime trends.
Minister Al Mazrouei stated, “Our discussions centered on building a partnership model founded on knowledge exchange and collaborative projects that support the strategic goals of the region. This meeting was a vital step toward fostering advanced partnerships in transport, legislation, and infrastructure—driving a more interconnected and sustainable future.” He also highlighted the longstanding, robust relationship between the UAE and Bahrain, describing it as a cornerstone for expanding strategic cooperation across sectors, fulfilling leadership aspirations, and promoting mutual developmental integration.
Dr. Al Khalifa highlighted Bahrain’s ambitious vision to establish an integrated and sustainable transport ecosystem encompassing maritime, air, and land sectors as part of Bahrain’s Vision 2030. He noted the critical role of investing in capabilities and expressed eagerness to learn from the UAE’s successful experiences in these fields.
The meeting included Eng. Hassan Mohammed Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of Infrastructure and Transport Affairs, and Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, both from the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
In parallel, the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure participated in the BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasilia, Brazil. Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Infrastructure Regulation Sector at MoEI, represented the UAE and highlighted the nation’s achievements in sustainable transport and smart infrastructure. He stressed the UAE’s commitment to innovation and data-driven policy, alongside the importance of multilateral cooperation to tackle global transport challenges.
A significant focus was on the Etihad Rail project, a 1,200-kilometer rail network across the UAE designed to transport over 60 million tonnes of freight and 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030. The project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.2 million tonnes per year, underlining the country’s dedication to integrated, sustainable infrastructure development.
