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3h ago

Saudi Arabia and Qatar Sign Deal for 785km High-Speed Rail Linking Riyadh and Doha

Officials tout the link as a concrete marker of warmer ties after the 2017 rift, with reconciliation in 2021 setting the stage.

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Overview

  • The high-speed electric passenger line is designed to exceed 300 km/h, cutting the journey between the capitals to about two hours.
  • The 785 km route will run via Hofuf and Dammam and connect King Salman International Airport in Riyadh with Hamad International Airport in Doha.
  • The project carries a six-year completion target and will deploy advanced rail technologies and smart systems to meet international safety standards.
  • Official projections cite roughly SR115bn ($30.7bn) in GDP impact, more than 10 million passengers annually, and over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
  • The agreement was signed by the countries’ transport ministers and witnessed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Amir Sheikh Tamim during a Saudi‑Qatari Coordination Council meeting.