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I DA U N I V E R S A L J u l y -Au g u s t 2 0 1 4 15 Trends continued on page 17 TRENDS AND TIDBITS Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national rail- way network, has signed a memo- randum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to enhance rail industry col- laboration among Gulf Coopera- tion Council (GCC) members. Signed by Eng Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, acting CEO of Etihad Rail, and SAR CEO Dr Rumaih bin Muhammad Al Rumaih, the MoU seeks to introduce common solutions, leverage best practices and allow for the free exchange of ideas and knowledge to improve the safety, effi ciency and economy of both countries' railways networks. e agreement will serve as a partnership between both parties and will enhance the relationship and long-term collaboration that ultimately will promote and lead to the successful economic devel- opment of the railway industry in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Com- mittees including representatives from both parties will be cre- ated, and collaborative meetings, seminars and workshops will be held on a regular basis, a state- ment said. Al Mazrouei said, "We are proud to announce this impor- tant MoU with SAR. We already work closely with our GCC neighbors in an eff ort to ensure that technical standards and tech- nology for the railway network in the GCC are consistent, and this agreement will pave the way for greater cooperation, collabora- tion, and the exchange of knowl- edge with SAR. "We can greatly benefi t from Saudi Arabia's pioneering experi- ence, particularly given that both Etihad Rail and SAR share com- mon goals and aim to leverage the latest technology and the highest standards of safety, and to pro- vide the most sustainable services in the transportation fi eld." Al Mazrouei added, "Work on the UAE's national railway is progressing on schedule, and Etihad Rail believes that forming strong relationships with stake- holders of all railway projects in the GCC will further contribute to the success of the operation of the rail, as well as provide a secure link between the UAE and its neighbors." Al Rumaih said, "Establishing such relations and cooperation with Etihad Rail will improve both projects' executional mecha- nism and operations effi ciency in the future, not only for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but for all GCC countries. is will con- tribute to creating an attractive market environment for rail and open doors to compete with other means of transportation, espe- cially for freight and heavy haul." He also said SAR had gained, during the last eight years, an extensive experience in railway projects and operations from which their partners across the GCC can benefi t. e scale of the whole Saudi railway networks is more than 7,200 kilometers. SAR is taking a big portion of that by projects of more than 4500 km." Upon completion, the Etihad Rail network, which will cater to both freight and passengers, will span approximately 1,200 km across the Emirates. It will connect urban and peripheral communities, facilitate trade, open up communication channels and foster economic development across all Emirates in the UAE, said the statement. e network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west and Oman via Al Ain in the east. ● www.tradearabia.com, May 2014 Etihad Rail, Saudi Railways Sign Working Agreement Caterpillar announced the resignation of chief information offi cer Randy Krotowski, eff ective June 1, 2014, and the company has launched an external hunt for a replacement. e Peoria, Ill.-based maker of construc- tion and mining tractors and machinery said Krotowski le to pursue other opportunities, though it gave no indication as to what those oppor- tunities are. Caterpillar CIO Randy Krotowski Resigns "Randy has more than 25 years of experience in the information technology fi eld, and we wish him well as he pursues future endeavors," Brad Halver- son, head of Caterpillar's corporate services division, said in a brief statement. e company says it will "immediately begin" a global search to fi nd a new vice president of global information services and CIO. ● www.foxbusiness.com, Jennifer Booton, May 2014