Etihad Rail Partners With The Global Manufacturing And Industrialisation Summit To Promote The Role Of Rail Transport In Building Resilient Global Supply Chains

The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) and Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, will partner to highlight the vital role of rail transport in supporting the transformation of logistics, manufacturing and building a sustainable supply chain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and globally.

As a Strategic Partner to GMIS, Etihad Rail will showcase how rail networks will serve as an economic growth engine for manufacturers in the UAE as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The company will share its expertise in delivering faster, greener, more effective, and technologically advanced transport solutions to support the development of a globally integrated business environment, in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071.

Etihad Rail will participate in the fourth edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (#GMIS2021), scheduled to be held at EXPO’s Dubai Exhibition Centre from November 22-27, where it will highlight the importance of rail networks in reducing supply chain costs, through reducing transport and storage costs, thereby increasing competitiveness and productivity in the industrial sector. The Summit will benefit from Etihad Rail’s experience in developing highly sophisticated and digitised solutions for freight movement and passenger travel, while positioning the UAE as a key link in the global transport and logistics landscape.

Commenting on this partnership, Omar Al Sebeyi, Acting Executive Director of Commercial Sector at Etihad Rail,said: “Etihad Rail is committed to accelerating industrialisation, economic growth and social development in the UAE and across the GCC, while offering a safe and sustainable mode of transportation for both businesses and individuals in the region. As we build the next-generation of transport and logistics solutions, we constantly seek new partnerships and collaborations with organisations who are passionate about enhancing the UAE’s regional and global competitiveness. We are pleased to partner with the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit in support of its mission to drive industrial transformation and economic progress in the UAE and globally.”

Established in 2009, Etihad Rail,one of the region’s largest infrastructure projects, will link the principal industries across the country and connect the UAE to its neighbouring nations. The Abu Dhabi-headquartered railway network is focused on improving energy efficiency and helping regional manufacturers adopt more sustainable practises. Etihad Rail’s Stage One has a proven track record of delivering economic success for customers, having carried more than 39 million tonnes of granulated sulphur since operations commenced in 2016 until October 2021, making the UAE the world’s foremost exporter of granulated sulphur. Once complete, the UAE rail network will be able to transport 60 million tonnes of goods annually.

Globally, rail is among the most energy efficient modes of transport for both freight and passengers, and represents just 2% of the total transport energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Carbon emissions from rail transport are 70 – 80% lower than conventional road freight, removing two million trucks from the road each year, complementing manufacturers’ environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) priorities.

The partnership will also highlight the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s recent policy initiatives and programmes such as the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology (Operation 300bn) and the ‘Make It In The Emirates’ campaign which were launched to bolster the home-grown industrial landscape. Etihad Rail is a central advocate of local manufacturing, as demonstrated through its construction of two sleeper factories and its support of the ‘Make It In The Emirates’ campaign.

#GMIS2021 will explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the global manufacturing sector, highlighting the evolving mechanisms of interaction between and among humans and machines in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Reinforcing how data and connectivity are becoming the leading factors shaping the future of supply chains, the Summit will focus on topics such as the creation of digitally driven societies, decarbonisation of the manufacturing industry, Government 5.0, the future of renewable energy, and innovations in policymaking.

Badr Al-Olama, Head of the GMIS Organising Committee, said: “Etihad Rail is transforming the wider transport and logistics ecosystem in the UAE and GCC. They are also at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technology and sustainability solutions to help industrial organisations enhance supply chain resilience and reduce transport costs. Together, GMIS and Etihad Rail will showcase the UAE’s advanced capabilities in transport and manufacturing, while highlighting the country’s potential to become a world-class logistics hub. The partnership will promote the prosperity of our nation’s economy.”

The six-day GMIS Week will feature over 125global speakers,including the two-day #GMIS2021 Summit on November 22-23, a Global Prosperity Conference and an Alternative & Renewable Energy Conference on November 24, and country focused sessions in partnership with the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy. The event will also run a six-day manufacturing and advanced technology exhibition to showcase some of the UAE’s most innovative capabilities.

Participants can register to attend the GMIS Week at https://gmisummit.com/registration. The programme agenda is available at the following link: https://gmisummit.com