Etihad Rail will be the first national freight and passenger railway network connecting the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The 1,200km railway project is expected to complete in 2024. It is owned by the government of Abu Dhabi (70%) and the federal government of the UAE (30%). The GCC railway network will connect the UAE with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. It is expected to serve about 16 million passengers and 50 million tonnes of freight. The railway infrastructure will significantly contribute to the reduction of road traffic emissions. Railway connectivity will promote trade and social development in the Emirate and across the GCC countries.