QATAR Rail has won the ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification for information security management systems.

To achieve this certification, a company must show a continuous, structured commitment towards managing sensitive company and customer information. It demonstrates that the security of Qatar Rail project is in line with world-class standards and meets the needs of the company’s customers, a statement said.

“Everyone at Qatar Rail is proud to have achieved the very significant ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification,” said Saad Ahmed Al Mohannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail. “This global recognition further illustrates our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest possible standards of information security.

Alistair Burt, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for the Middle East said, “I am delighted to be here to help mark the occasion of the British Standards Institution awarding Qatar Rail with the ISO certification for information security. I applaud Qatar Rail for leading by example with their push to achieve first class global standards across their organisation.

“The UK supports Qatar’s ambitious and exciting plans for the rail sector and we look forward to broadening and strengthening our relationship and ongoing partnerships with Qatar Rail.”

Meanwhile, Qatar Rail has specified that consortiums looking to build different parts of the rail network should partner with a Qatari firm, which has led to companies such as Qatar Building company, Galfar Al Misnad Engineering, Al Darwish and HBK Contracting all picking up work alongside international bidders.

Sheikh Ali bin Hamad Al Thani, president of HBK Contracting, said: “The enhanced support provided in Qatar Rail’s projects to the local companies will further enhance the capabilities of these companies.”

The chairman of Qatar’s Chamber of commerce, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, said: “The decision of Qatar Rail to integrate Qatari companies in the Doha Metro and Rail projects won by foreign companies’ represents a real support to the country’s economy, strengthens the private sector role and enables it to benefit as much as possible.

“This integration didn’t happen before with any local company in any railway project. Thus, we look forward to seeing the Qatari companies benefiting from the proceeds of the projects carried out in Qatar, which we consider a national right. We wish that all companies will follow Qatar Rail’s strategy in this regard.”