US companies gauge rail deals

US rail companies are lining up to chase multimillion-dollar contracts in the UAE railways sector. Suresh Kumar, the US assistant commerce secretary, visited Abu Dhabi this week to discuss commercial opportunities for US companies with officials from the emirate. "The UAE is developing a new railway system and US railway companies are global leaders," Mr Kumar said. "US rail technology companies can help the UAE make its rail system the most efficient, profitable and safest rail system in the world."

The Association of American Railroads and the US-UAE Business Council are organising a consortium of railway companies to spend a week in Abu Dhabi beginning on June 20. While the list is yet to be finalised, eight companies are already on board including EWA, RailCom, Parsons, Wabtec, Herzog, ElectroMotive, and New York Airbrake. Mr Kumar said he would like to see more US companies chase contracts in the country, in sectors such as infrastructure and alternative energy.

hasayegh@thenational.ae