Oman and its five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners have signed a General Agreement to advance the long-planned railway network connecting all six member states. Signed in Bahrain during the GCC Transport Ministersβ meeting on 8 November 2026, the agreement establishes a common framework for coordination, implementation and operation, including shared technical specifications, safety requirements and interoperability standards. The proposed network will extend approximately 2,117 kilometres, linking Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman, and facilitating the movement of both passengers and freight. For Oman, the initiative complements the development of Hafeet Rail, the 238-kilometre cross-border railway connecting Sohar with Abu Dhabi through Al Buraimi and Al Ain, with trial operations expected in 2027. Once fully developed, the regional network is expected to strengthen trade corridors, connect ports and industrial centres, improve logistics efficiency and create new opportunities for tourism and investment. This agreement represents an important step towards a more integrated and connected Gulf economy.
