Source: www.rta.ae
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has recently reviewed with Ms. Anne-Marie Idrac, Special Representative of France for Trade Exchanges with the United Arab Emirates, future cooperation and sharing of expertise between the RTA and the French firms operating in rail, transportation and roads sectors.
The meeting also discussed roads and public transport projects the RTA is considering to undertake in the near future.
At the start of the meeting, which was attended by H.E. Michel Miraillet, France Ambassador to the UAE and H.E. Majdi Abid, France Consul in Dubai, Al Tayer commended the distinctive relations between the UAE and the Republic of France; which was catalyst for the rise in mutual trading exchanges, joint ventures in various fields as well as the growing tourist visits exchanged between the two friendly peoples. He also expressed his delight with the participation of French firms in RTA projects highlighted by the Dubai Tram; which will be opened in November this year, and at the same expressed hope to see more French businesses engaged in the roads and transport sector.
During the meeting, Al Tayer spoke about the investment prospects offered to the private sector in an array of RTA road and transport system projects planned by the RTA up to 2020. The plan, which gives due consideration to the projected number of population during the forthcoming years and the fulfillment of the requirements of hosting Expo 2020, envisages the construction of key roads & bridges stretching hundreds of kilometers, crossings on Dubai Creek, and a host of ring roads around the existing and future development and activity hubs. “Key projects to be released this year include supplementary contracts of the Dubai Water Canal Project, Ittihad Crossing Project, and future projects regarding additional crossings on the Dubai Creek,” revealed Al Tayer.
“The forthcoming years will witness the construction and operation of rail projects spanning both the metro and tram, costing billions of dirhams. These projects include extending the Dubai Metro Red Line to the exhibition area where Expo 2020 will be held, extending the Green Line of the Dubai Metro, and undertaking Phase II of the Dubai Tram Project. Future projects constitute a new opportunity for businesses to bid for tenders released by the RTA, and the RTA is considering the adoption of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with a view to introducing attractive business elements that motivate the private sector to take the initiative of undertaking such projects and bearing the costs of their construction against benefiting from their returns during a contract period,” explained Al Tayer.
Her Excellency Anne-Marie Idrac expressed her pleasure with her second visit to the RTA and was clearly impressed by the projects accomplished by the RTA, particularly mass transit systems such as the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and public transport means, and the speed of completing such projects.
“France and the UAE have common interest in furthering and expanding their strategic relationships and advancing bilateral trade to higher levels. This meeting offers a new opportunity to share expertise between French businesses and the RTA in constructing and managing infrastructure projects in roads and public transport sector,” she added. More info
