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The rail link connecting Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has made further advances after the two countries announced that preparations are under way to launch the initial designs for the project.

According to local media reports, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia’s Project Management Committee approved the outcomes of the financial, economic, technical and social feasibility study for the railway link project, which aims to transport passengers and goods.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Transport & Logistics and Kuwait’s Ministry of Works jointly conducted the project studies for over six months.

The project involves constructing a 700-kilometre railway line from southern Kuwait to Riyadh.

In May, MEED reported that the two countries had approved the final results of the planned railway project’s technical, financial and economic studies.

In April, the authorities said that 80% of the studies had been completed.

Saudi Arabia approved an agreement with Kuwait to construct the railway connecting the two countries in September last year.

The approval was given during a Saudi cabinet meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud at Neom on 26 September.

In May last year, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud authorised the minister of transport and logistics services or his representative to discuss a draft agreement with Kuwait regarding the rail link connecting the two countries.

MEED reported earlier last year that Saudi Arabia Railways and the Saudi Public Transport Authority had appointed France’s Systra to complete the feasibility study for a high-speed rail link connecting Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.