Etihad Rail to Transform UAE Economy with New Commercial Hubs
Etihad Rail’s extensive 900 km railway network, stretching from Ghuwaifat to Fujairah, is more than just a transportation project—it’s a major economic game-changer for the United Arab Emirates. By connecting key trade, industrial, manufacturing, and logistics centers, the rail line will pave the way for new commercial hubs around its strategic stations, reshaping how business is done in the country.
Fäh Properties CEO, Firas Al Msaddi, explains that Etihad Rail will enhance efficiency in logistics and B2B supply chains while decentralizing corporate ecosystems. This will significantly cut travel times for professionals, allowing, for example, a salesperson based in Sharjah to close deals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai without losing hours stuck in traffic. Faster movement of human capital means improved lifestyles and accelerated business activities, all of which can positively affect the country’s GDP.
The rail network promises to redefine commuting by enabling faster travel at speeds up to 200 kmph and cutting travel times by nearly half. This improved connectivity will not only reduce dependency on cars but also stimulate local economies by attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and improving access to education and healthcare—particularly in smaller towns linked by the rail.
Mark Castley, CEO of Huspy, foresees new commercial hubs emerging around key stations, as developers focus on creating integrated rail-industrial ecosystems. The impact of Etihad Rail is expected to touch many sectors, including real estate, retail, hospitality, and logistics, ushering in a new era of economic growth and urban development in the UAE.
The project is recognized as one of the country’s most transformative infrastructure initiatives, promising to unlock new zones of living and commerce, redistributing demand and compressing inefficiencies across the UAE’s urban and industrial landscapes.
As Etihad Rail advances towards its passenger service launch in 2026 and beyond, experts highlight the importance of integrating the rail with local transit and ensuring sustainable growth to fully realize its potential as an economic rewiring of the nation.
