United Arab Emirates is looking to build a rail system that will link all cities by a rail line over the desert.
The UAE's Union Railway Company intends to complete the $11bn project and begin the first complete service by 2017.
The 1,500km rail system will start with services across the seven-member emirates.
Companies including Alstom, Siemens and Bombardier are expected to compete for the initial work, such as moving earth and laying track for the project to be delivered in various phases.
Union Railway has already signed a project management deal with a joint venture including US-based Parsons and France's Systra, as well as a preliminary engineering contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff for the first two phases.
The first phase, to be complete by 2014, will connect the Shah sour gas field of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to Ruwais, according to Reuters.
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