Muscat – In a major step towards the development of the Oman-UAE Rail Network, Oman-Etihad Rail Company – a joint venture between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail – has launched a prequalification tender for civil works of the network.

Oman-Etihad Rail Company, the developer and operator of Oman-UAE Rail Network, has invited specialised contractors to apply for tendering of prequalification civil works.

According to the tender document, prospective contractors must demonstrate individually or as a joint venture/consortium that they have the necessary resources and expertise to meet the requirements.

Some of the requirements include the company should be a local company or a JV/consortium led by a local company registered in Oman or UAE to deliver assigned tasks in the relevant country. They should also have recent experience in executing projects of a similar size and nature, including earthworks, structures, tunnels, freight facilities, roads and depots.

Applicants must have experience in designing and building for on-time completion of projects to required quality, the tender document stated.

The prequalification documents will be available from March 13 to March 27.

Oman-Etihad Rail Company will lay the groundwork and work plan for the project, including its financial mechanism and schedule. The company will also handle the design, development and operations of the rail network, which will connect Sohar and Abu Dhabi, in line with the criteria and standards of the two countries.

In another development, Oman-Etihad Rail Company signed a cooperation agreement with Mubadala Investment Company in February to support the development of the 303km railway network with an overall investment value of US$3bn.

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