OMAN: Consultants have been appointed to undertake a study into the feasibility of building a 200 km freight railway between the port of Suhar and a planned container terminal at Birka to the north of the capital Masqat.

Minister of National Economy Ahmed Macki told the local media on April 13 that it is 'too early to give costs or a time frame' for the project, but private sector investment is anticipated. A future extension would run from Suhar to Duqum, where a new port is to be built. A passenger service will also be considered.

H The Gulf Co-operation Council and officials from Yemen have agreed to undertake a feasibility study for a line running 1 000 km from Masqat to Shihan on the Yemeni border.