By Mohammed Al Munji  www.zawya.com
His Excellency H.E. Maurice Leroy, Minister of the City, stated that the French firms and factories specialized in various transport fields would be strongly represented in the 59th International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Congress and Exhibition to be hosted by Dubai from 10 to 14 April 2011 under the theme: Boosting Public Transport … Action!. Such participation underscores the importance of the Congress and Exhibition in showcasing the latest development in this field, particularly given the promising projects set to be undertaken by countries in the region in the near future.
“The next round of the Congress promises to be among the most successful UITP congresses as Dubai has a tradition of delivering the global events in an excellent style in terms of organization, participation and attendance.
The Minister made these remarks when he was received by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in the presence of several RTA CEOs. The meeting also discussed the means of boosting the cooperation and exchanging of expertise between the RTA and the French companies operating in roads and mass transit sector.
At the outset of the meeting, Al Tayer hailed the excellent relations linking the UAE and the Republic of France; which have contributed to augmenting the trading exchange between the two countries, easing the flow of joint investments, and increasing tourist visits between the two friendly countries. He also commended the performance of French companies handling several RTA projects.
“At the top of projects undertaken by French companies is Al Safouh Metro and Tram; where Tales Co. has completed the signal control system as well as the communication between the Control Room and Trains, and between trains themselves. Systra has a consultancy contract in both the Red and Green lines of the Dubai Metro project and Al Safouh Tram. Al Safouh Tram is considered among the most important projects awarded to French firms; which was won by the Consortium comprising the French Alstom, Belgian Besix, British Serco and the American Parsons; which will carries out the detailed design works.
RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director stated that he would be looking forward for more investments by the French companies specialized in roads sector and said: “RTA plan for the next five years envisages the construction of several road and bridge projects costing billions of dirhams, and will offer a good opportunity for companies to bid for RTA tenders. RTA is currently considering engaging in partnerships with the private sector to carry out some projects in the near future.
For his part the French Minister expressed his delight in seeing the French companies undertaking vital projects in Dubai Emirate and gave a briefing about Greater Paris project; where the French Government is investing about 45 billion dollars to build 165-km long automatic and express underground railway. The project is set to complement the existing rail network, double its capacity, and establish a link between the basic competitive spots in the area. “The project focuses on three key aspects: sustainable development, roads and transport, and terminating the isolation of the French suburbs,” he added.
The French Minister was impressed with RTA projects in mass transport field such as the Dubai Metro, Al Safouh Tram & public transport means, and praised the speed of delivering RTA projects in a record time.
