RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a landmark agreement to build a high-speed rail link, marking the first project of its kind between the two Gulf nations.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Riyadh between Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, held under the framework of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
The planned rail route will directly connect Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport, reducing travel time between the two capitals to just two hours and providing a faster, more efficient alternative to conventional travel.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Amir of Qatar hold talks at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. pic.twitter.com/INfByi1XOY
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) December 8, 2025
According to the joint statement issued after the meeting, the project is expected to be completed within six years.
Once operational, it is projected to create approximately 30,000 jobs across both countries and carry over 10 million passengers annually, significantly boosting trade, tourism, and economic integration in the region.
سمو #ولي_العهد وأمير دولة قطر يشهدان توقيع اتفاقية تنفيذ مشروع قطار السعودية / قطر السريع، الذي يمتد على مسافة 785 كيلومترًا، ويربط الرياض والدوحة مرورًا بمحطات رئيسة تشمل مدينتي الهفوف والدمام وتربط مطار الملك سلمان الدولي ومطار حمد الدولي بسرعة تتجاوز 300 كم/س ليسهم في تقليص… pic.twitter.com/PDu6n1Dgg8
— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) December 8, 2025
The initiative reflects a deepening partnership between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, highlighting their commitment to advancing infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable economic growth across the Gulf.
During the meeting, both sides praised the upward trajectory of the economic ties and the growing volume of bilateral trade.
Trade between the two countries reached $930.3 million in 2024 (excluding re-exported goods), marking a remarkable 634% increase compared to 2021.
The two leaders highlighted the importance of enhancing joint efforts to diversify and expand trade, facilitate smoother transactions, address potential challenges, and leverage opportunities in priority sectors under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
They emphasised the need to translate these opportunities into concrete partnerships that promote economic and trade integration, benefiting both nations and their peoples.
🇸🇦🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/YlfTXlFDGc
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) December 8, 2025
The two sides also agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation in several key areas, including the digital economy and innovation; industry and mining, with a focus on accelerating joint efforts on industrial integration; youth, sports, and cultural programs and activities; education, by establishing joint, high-quality academic programs; media, by enhancing content credibility, promoting joint media production, and improving coverage of events and activities hosted by both countries; cybersecurity; and health.
On the defence and security front, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening and developing the defence partnership in ways that serve their mutual interests, support regional and international security and stability, and coordinate efforts to address regional challenges, thereby enhancing the overall preparedness and safety of the region.
The leaders met at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh and co-chaired the eighth session of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sheikh Tamim was accompanied by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, along with a high-level official delegation.
