CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the chairman of the Shoura Council Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Sheikh and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday in Cairo.
El-Sisi welcomed the Saudi delegates who are visiting Cairo, and conveyed his greetings to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting the strength of Egyptian-Saudi relations.
During the reception, El-Sisi praised Saudi Arabia’s position toward Egypt, which reflects the historic ties and deep-rooted relations between the two countries.
The Egyptian president pointed to the importance of upgrading the communication between the two sides at parliamentary level.
Al Sheikh conveyed the greetings of King Salman and the Saudi Crown Prince to President El- El-Sisi, and expressed Saudi Arabia’s keenness to work closely with Egypt at all levels, and coordinate periodically on issues of mutual interest.
Al Sheikh hailed the Egyptian government’s development efforts, especially on the economic front, including infrastructure development and the establishment of large scale national projects. He also praised Egypt’s central role in supporting security and stability in the Arab region.
Al Sheikh and El-Sisi discussed several topics of mutual interest, as well as recent regional and international developments.
Egypt’s El-Sisi welcomes head of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council in Cairo
Egypt’s El-Sisi welcomes head of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council in Cairo
- El-Sisi welcomed the Saudi delegates who are visiting Cairo, and conveyed his greetings to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman
- Al Sheikh hailed the Egyptian government’s development efforts, especially on the economic front
Saudi Arabian Railways breaks records in 2025: 14mn passengers and 30mn tons of freight
- By transporting 30 million tons of freight via rail in 2025, SAR successfully removed 2 million truck journeys from the Kingdom’s highways, resulting in 139 million liters of fuel saved
- It also meant a reduction of carbon emissions by 364,000 tons, contributing directly to the Saudi Green Initiative
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced record-breaking operational milestones for the year 2025, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s logistics and tourism sectors.
SAR transported over 14 million passengers, representing a significant leap from the 11.2 million passengers recorded in 2023, highlighting the increasing adoption of rail travel for both commuting and pilgrimage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Similarly, freight operations have expanded robustly from approximately 24 million tons in 2023 to the current 30 million tons, driven by increased industrial demand and mining logistics.
By transporting 30 million tons of freight via rail in 2025, the network successfully removed two million truck journeys from the Kingdom’s highways, resulting in 139 million liters of fuel saved.
It also meant a reduction of carbon emissions by 364,000 tons, contributing directly to the Saudi Green Initiative, the report said.
These figures underscore SAR’s pivotal role in realizing the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) and Saudi Vision 2030, delivering a network that is not only efficient but also environmentally sustainable.
“Dream of the Desert”
A standout achievement of 2025 was the official launch of the Dream of the Desert, the first luxury train service in the Middle East and North Africa.
Developed in partnership with the Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale Group, this service has redefined rail tourism. The train features 40 custom-designed luxury cabins, offering a “rail cruise” experience inspired by the classic Orient Express but with a distinct Saudi Arabian identity. The route traverses the Kingdom from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, stopping at key cultural heritage sites including Ha’il and Al-Jouf, effectively turning the journey itself into a destination.
In a major move to capitalize on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), SAR announced the establishment of a SAR6 billion real estate fund focused on Makkah.
This fund is dedicated to developing prime lands adjacent to the Haramain High Speed Railway station in Makkah. The initiative aims to enhance the pilgrim experience by constructing high-capacity hotels, commercial centers, and residential units directly linked to the station. This development not only diversifies SAR’s revenue streams but also supports the government’s goal of hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by seamlessly integrating transport and accommodation.
Global Recognition
Internationally, SAR’s commitment to excellence was recognized on the global stage. SAR became the first company to win the prestigious International Union of Railways (UIC) award for long-distance tourist trains.
The ceremony was held at the union’s headquarters in Paris, France, with broad participation from major railway companies worldwide.
The UIC, known as the worldwide railway organization, presented the award in recognition of SAR’s innovation in integrating luxury tourism with heavy rail infrastructure.
This accolade cements SAR’s reputation for service quality and places the Kingdom on the map as a premier destination for railway enthusiasts and luxury travelers alike.
