Bombardier is eyeing EUR 4 billion worth of rail contracts over the next 5 years in the Gulf region where public spending is rising to lift shrinking economies.

Bombardier, the world's No 1 passenger train maker is keen to take part in about EUR 1 billion worth of contracts in Qatar alone for light rail projects in Doha which could be opened for bidding this year.

Mr Peter Albexon vice president sales and business development at Bombardier Transportation said that "We are looking at upcoming opportunities for light rail projects in Abu Dhabi and Doha. We think a couple of them will mature this year."

Gulf governments are boosting their public spending on infrastructure projects such as roads and railways to extricate their economies from contraction.

Mr Albexon said that the Canadian transport giant is interested in bidding for the electro mechanical part, that include trains, signals and power transmission, for two light rail projects and a people-mover project in Doha.

The Montreal based company is also keen to bid next year for the Riyadh and Jeddah light rail projects in Saudi Arabia and the Abu Dhabi rail projects.

He said that "Currently the financial situation has slowed down projects in general. But, many governments now see the need to help the economy by moving infrastructure projects."

German railway operator Deutsche Bahn won a deal by 2008 to help design a multi billion rail networks in Qatar.

Qatar is also planning a high speed rail link between the capital Doha and neighboring Bahrain via one of the world's longest bridges, nationwide freight and passenger services as part of a wider Gulf rail network and a metro in the capital city.

(Sourced from Reuters)