The governments in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region are likely to award railway project contracts worth $16 billion this year, said a new study released ahead of a major industry event in Dubai, UAE.

Middle East Rail, the largest railway industry event across the Mena, South and Central Asian region, will be back in Dubai this month (March 12 to 13) with a boom in repeat exhibitors, said the organiser.

The event has recorded 64 per cent repeat exhibitor bookings for 2018 edition, bringing more than 290 regional and international railway operators, suppliers and contractors to present their services to potential buyers and nurture professional networks, they stated.

Etihad Rail, X Rail, Greenbrier, Virgin Hyperloop, CAF, Aecom, Progress Rail, Department for International Trade, UK, are back in full force to showcase their plans for future railway systems.

Leading industry experts will share insights on privatisation, digitalisation, and modernisation and pioneering the future of Mobility 4.0. throughout two days of keynotes, open discussions and research sharing sessions.