The kingdom is to carry out a feasibility study into the construction of a multi-billion-dollar rail network linking the GCC countries, a GCC official said.

“Saudi Arabia volunteered to carry out the comprehensive study,” said Mohammad Mazrooei, assistant secretary-general for economic affairs at the GCC.
Mazrooei said the project would greatly help the flow of people and goods within the GCC.
An initial study proposed the laying of two lines, the first being 1,970 km long, stretching from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and through a bridge to Qatar, and from there to the UAE and Oman.
The second line would be 1,984 km, running from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia and the UAE and ending in Oman. Connecting points will be in Bahrain and Qatar.
The cost was estimated at up to $6 billion.
Mazrooei said Saudi Arabia aimed to complete the study – which will include bidding proposals – within six months.
Saudi Arabia is planning to build more than 1,000 km of new track, including a 950 km line linking Jeddah with Riyadh, and Dammam.
It also wants to link the western cities of Medina and Mecca and connect northern phosphate and bauxite mines with Jubail on the Gulf. Bankers estimate the cost to run into billions of dollars.