(Yicai Global) March 13 -- A consortium consisting of state-backed China State  Construction Engineering Corporation and South Korea's SK Engineering  & Construction have won a USD410 million railway design and  construction contract from Etihad Rail in Abu Dhabi, United Arab  Emirates.

The  pair will design and construct the 139-kilometer second-phase of a  dual-track railroad near the border with Saudi Arabia, state-backed  Xinhua News Agency reported.

The  UAE will consolidate its position as a freight hub in the Middle East  and is committed to becoming one of the global logistics centers, said  Abu Dhabi Transport Department Chairman Theyab bin Mohamed at the  contract signing ceremony.

The project is an important part of the rail network for the UAE and the entire Middle East Gulf Area, CSCEC's  Middle East unit said in a statement, adding that it will be of great  significance for the company's transformation of its business structure.

Founded  in 1982 in Beijing, CSCEC is China's largest investment and  construction group with operations in more than 100 countries and  regions, covering investment, development, engineering, construction,  survey, design and green buildings.

Editor: William Clegg