The Ineco Chairman, Pablo Vázquez Vega, and Manuel Benegas, president of the consortium that won the contract to provide high-speed trains between the Saudi Arabian cities of Mecca and Medina, were part of the business delegation that was granted an audience with King Juan Carlos at the Zarzuela Palace.

The King congratulated the Spanish business leaders on their success and expressed his support for possible international rail contracts in the future.

The audience was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel García-Margallo, and the Minister of Public Works, Ana Pastor, as well as the CEOs and senior executives of the 12 Spanish companies that make up the Al Shoula consortium, along with two Saudi firms.

After posing for the media with his guests, the King took the opportunity to talk with the business leaders and the two ministers about the development of this historic project, which represents an example of public-private partnership in Spain, as well as the prospects for participation in future international high-speed rail tenders.

The winning consortium has already made a start on the project, with a period of 34 months to complete works, and is planning to test the first trains in September 2013.