Jochen Riepl, CEO of RAIL.ONE, travelled to Saudi Arabia with the German Federal Minister of Transport, Building, and Urban Development, Peter Ramsauer.

From 12 to 15 March 2012, the German Federal Minister of Transport Peter Ramsauer went on a trip to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by a prominent delegation. Representatives of German business, members of the German Federal Parliament, and delegates from the German Federal Ministry took part in events in Riyadh and Jeddah with Saudi ministers and representatives of the royal family.

As one of the world’s fastest growing economies, Saudi Arabia is an important business partner for the Federal Republic of Germany. The Kingdom will invest more than €100bn in its economy over the coming years: in transport infrastructure, new industries, and completely new cities. These investments offer German companies interesting areas of business. And since technology and expertise ‘Made in Germany’ enjoy an outstanding reputation around the world, they are of course also in great demand for such major projects.

On their trip to Saudi Arabia, the delegation headed by German Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer intended to take advantage of the opportunity to intensify bilateral business relations and to open new areas of collaboration. During the four-day stay on the Arabian Peninsula, meetings were accordingly held with decision-makers from politics and business, including Saudi ministers for transport, finances, and residential construction.

“German quality is also highly regarded in Saudi Arabia. And the excellent know-how and perfection of German enterprises is famous all over the world. So I would like to open doors in this country for further German involvement,” said Peter Ramsauer.

In late 2007 RAIL.ONE Group succeeded in winning an order for delivery of main-track and turnout sleepers for Project Sections CTW 100 to 300 for the north-south line project, which launched its involvement in Arabian countries. This key project of the Saudi Government calls for construction of a 2,400km rail connection between the mining areas in the northwest of the country to Dammam.

In February of 2010 and as a result of successful execution of the initial project a follow-up order was placed with RAIL.ONE for Project Section CTW 400. On behalf of the Saudi construction company Al Ayuni, RAIL.ONE will deliver an additional 850,000 main-track sleepers for new construction of the north-south Line.

For Jochen Riepl, CEO of RAIL.ONE , this contract is an essential step for further globalisation of the company: “Foreign business – especially with MENA Region countries, as well as with the Emirates on the Persian-Arabian Golf – represents extremely exciting markets for us as sleeper manufacturer and systems provider for railway infrastructure. In the coming years, these markets will present an immense potential. With successful involvement in Saudi Arabia, we see good changes of establishing further business relationships in the Kingdom also with other countries of the region.”