The UAE's Union Railway Company has invited companies to register to tender for the first phase of its proposed nationwide freight rail network.
The first phase of the project includes a 265km line in the Al Gharbia western region connecting the Shah and Habshan oil and gas fields with the Ruwais port in the region.
Contracts are expected to be awarded next year, with work starting in 2013.
The state-owned company will build and operate the AED40bn ($10.89bn) cross-country rail network, which officials note is the UAE's first freight rail network.
The rail network will run through all seven emirates and encompasses more than 1,500km of track, including a possible passenger line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
