18/04/2011
Spanish Firms Offer Railway Technology
During the Spanish Trade Mission Visits Saudi Arabia
Spanish companies are keen to offer sophisticated technology and engineering consultancy services for the development of railway transport system in Saudi Arabia. This was disclosed by Mr. Pedro Fortea, Director of the Spanish Railway Association, in a meeting at Asharqia Chamber on Saturday.
Mr. Fortea was leading a high-level delegation comprising 9 leading companies engaged in the various fields of infrastructure development and transportation.
These Spanish companies offered a wide range of products and services including preliminary studies, engineering consultancy, railway engineering, signaling, communications, contactless ticketing, environmental impact studies, public transport solutions, intelligent traffic systems, street lighting and an array of transportation services.
Spain has much to offer to Saudi Arabia in the development of its mega railway projects covering nearly 3,000 kilometers, said Mr. Fortea adding that Spain is the one of the world's leaders in innovative railway transportation technology. Currently Spain's total railway network covers over 15,288 kilometers including 11,919 kilometers broad gauge.
Mr. Fortea met with Chamber's Secretary General, Mr. Abdulrahman A. Al Wabel and discussed possible cooperation in promoting trade and businesses between the two countries. There is bright potential for cooperation particularly in the railway sector.
Meeting was attended by Mr. Al Wabel . Mr. Alberto Soler Vera, Economic and Commercial Counselor of Spanish Embassy in the Kingdom .
A number of Spanish companies have already been participating in the development of the Saudi railway projects. Getinsa Ingenieria has been working in the installment and maintenance of signaling and communications systems in the Dammam-Riyadh railway link. The company also won a contract last year to work in the Haramain High Speed railway line between Makkah and Madinah. "We are introducing the latest technology, the European Train Control System (ETCS) in Saudi Arabia, noted a representative of the company.
Another Spanish company, Thales, has been participating in the development of North-South railway project in Saudi Arabia. It is a world leader in mission critical solutions for land transportation. It is a global supplier of signaling and train control systems, supervision and ticketing. The company has advanced technical solutions for railway and metro operations.
