Fleming Gulf's MENA Transport Infrastructure Conference 2010
Online, February 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - More investment in all modes of transport is needed to boost development in the MENA region. How these modes interconnect, and help address issues such as climate change, are important considerations.
The Gulf States in particular have shown breathtaking ambition in their development of ports and airports, and investment in road and rail projects is still on-going despite the crisis in the financial sector. Other countries in the region also have plans to develop their transport infrastructure. Egypt and Jordan, for instance, have realised that economic growth is only possible if a vibrant supply-side logistics industry exists, and the necessary infrastructure has been built to move goods in and out of their countries.
MENA Transport and Infrastructure Conference scheduled for 10-11 May 2010 at the Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi could not have come at a more opportune time. GCC governments are set to invest $55bn in roads and airports, the UAE and other Gulf oil producers are expected to pump more than $55 billion (Dh202bn) into road and airport projects within the next 10 years.
This conference shall discuss the Abu Dhabi Urban Street Design Manual which has been commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council to address the needs of the growing population and a desire to improve pedestrian facilities to create more walkable communities. Of the plans to upgrade Abu Dhabi's transport infrastructure, a scheme to link several of the emirates islands by road is perhaps the most eye-catching. In Dubai H. E. Mattar Al Tayer confirmed that the Government of Dubai is proceeding with its ongoing drive to upgrade the infrastructure, including roads & transportation projects, out of a solid belief that investment in infrastructure is the core driver of any cosmopolitan city. The Role of PPPs and DOT's experience with PPPs as a form of project delivery, other important topics to be discussed at the conference will be : ''The 21st century challenges of planning mega transportation projects for sustainable urban development'' and Durability Considerations for Concrete Bridges in the Arabian Gulf.
Key speakers at the Conference:
•Ibrahim Al Hmoudi, Senior Transport Planner - Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council
•Dr Walid Damaj, Internal Roads and Infrastructure Division - Al Ain Municipality
•John Lee, Highway and Transport Planning Advisor - Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DOT)
•Sayed Bader Alawi, Chief of Special Projects, Roads Projects and Maintenance Directorate - Ministry of Works Bahrain
•Anthony Pearce, Honorary Director General - International Road Federation
•Reem Ahmed Akbari, Researcher and Lecturer - Centre for Transport and Road Studies, University of Bahrain
•Loga Veeramuthu, Senior Road Transport Economic Analyst - Department of Transport, Emirates of Abu Dhabi
•Dr. Erik Ferguson, Master of Urban Planning Program - American University of Sharjah
•Harry Terence Dimitriou Dip TP, msc, phd, MRTPI, FRSA, Bartlett Professor of Planning Studies, Director of the OMEGA Centre - Bartlett School of Planning, University College London
About Fleming Gulf
Fleming Gulf specializes in developing strategic business-to-business conferences for the Middle East & North African market. Our vision is to be the premier choice of organizations worldwide seeking strategic knowledge in a rapidly changing environment. Fleming Gulf articulates its passionate belief in the power of knowledge through the provision of leading-edge business conferences. Our conferences welcome leading industrial experts from the international business arena for a high class executive meeting held in the most prominent premium hotels around the region.
For More Information:
Contact: Mehwish Hilal, 009714 609 1576, Mehwish.hilal@fleminggulf.com