At a critical juncture of accelerating global energy transition and regional integration, a Gulf transformation aimed at reshaping the geographical landscape and embracing a diverse future is unfolding.

On December 8, 2025, under the joint witness of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the transportation ministers of the two countries signed a milestone agreement in Riyadh, officially launching the construction of a high-speed electrified railway connecting the two capitals. This 785 kilometer steel artery will not only shorten travel time between Riyadh and Doha to about 2 hours, but is also seen as a strategic project to promote economic integration in the Gulf region and achieve the vision of national transformation.

Create a two-hour living circle

According to the agreement, this high-speed railway with a designed speed of over 300 kilometers per hour will become one of the most advanced transportation infrastructure in the Gulf region. The route starts from King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and ends at Hamad International Airport in Doha, the capital of Qatar, passing through key cities such as Khufu and Dammam along the way. The project is expected to have a construction period of six years and will adopt the latest railway technology and intelligent engineering solutions to ensure operational safety and comply with the highest international standards.

The most direct benefit of the project is to significantly improve the level of regional connectivity. At present, the land transportation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar takes a long time. After the completion of the high-speed railway, the powerful time-space compression effect will give rise to an efficient two-hour living circle, greatly facilitating personnel exchanges and laying a fast track for business, tourism, and people to people exchanges. It is expected that the annual passenger flow of high-speed rail will exceed 10 million, allowing passengers to easily explore the scenic spots of both countries.

Contribute billions of output value and tens of thousands of jobs

The significance of this high-speed railway goes far beyond convenient transportation, it is also a powerful economic engine. The official estimate is that the project will contribute approximately 115 billion Saudi riyals to the gross domestic product of both countries. In addition, during the six-year construction period and subsequent operations, the project will directly and indirectly create approximately 30000 job opportunities, covering multiple fields such as engineering construction, operation and maintenance, and supporting services.

The bilateral trade volume of Shaka has reached 930.3 million US dollars in 2024, excluding transit trade, achieving an astonishing growth of 634% compared to 2021. The high-speed rail project is a key initiative for both countries to expand and diversify trade flows and eliminate barriers to commercial exchanges, perfectly aligning with the strategic goals of developing a diversified economy and investing in the future outlined in Saudi Arabia's 2030 Vision and Qatar's 2030 National Vision.

It is worth noting that the project is clearly defined as a high-speed electrified railway, highlighting its environmental considerations. The official statement emphasizes that the railway system will promote environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and support the region's transition towards more efficient and innovative intelligent sustainable transportation solutions. In the context of global energy transition, choosing electrified railways over traditional modes of transportation reflects Saudi Arabia and Qatar's commitment to pursuing economic growth while fulfilling their environmental responsibilities and promoting green development. Keywords: Middle East news and information, Middle East international news

From shortening the distance of time and space to driving economic growth, from drawing regional integration blueprints to practicing green development concepts, this high-speed railway between Saudi Arabia and Qatar symbolizes that Gulf countries are connecting each other's future in a closer, modern, and sustainable way. As the six-year countdown begins, a new Gulf landscape of speed, prosperity, and integration is slowly unfolding.Editor/Cheng Liting