MANAMA, 30 September 2007 — Over the last few years, ambitious public transport projects have been developed and launched in the MENA region and in the coming years, a combination of metro, rail and bus systems, along with enhanced road networks — essential in handling the rapid population growth being experienced in countries throughout the region — will become a reality.
“Transport integration — from the establishment of transport organizing authorities to new technologies that enable integrated travel information, management tools and electronic ticketing plus interchange stations — is a key element of the planning being undertaken by governments across the region,” said Sarah Woodbridge, group director Exhibitions, IIR Middle East, organizers of the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference.
“Activity throughout the region is at an all-time high, and the level of government commitment will see this intensify yet further,” she said. “The potential for regional and international companies involved in the transport industry offers great opportunities, given the essential nature of the long-term development objectives. Against this level of activity, it’s no surprise that Gulf Traffic 2007 will be the biggest and most important event of its kind in the region, and one that is receiving considerable interest around the world.”
In November, Saudi Arabia will receive proposals from four consortia for the construction of its long-awaited railway project. Abdulaziz Al-Huqail, president of the SRO (Saudi Railways Organization), said the project includes the construction of a 950-kilometer railway from Jeddah to link with the existing Dammam-Riyadh railway, a new 115-kilometer line from Dammam to Jubail, as well as numerous projects to upgrade the Kingdom’s existing rail network. The project is expected to add significant value to the national economy, and will serve all the GCC states.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance has also awarded a $765 million contract to a group comprising of Mitsui & Co. Ltd, Barclay Mowlem Ltd. and Al-Rashid to provide civil and track services for the 508-mile stretch of the new North-South Railway Line. Saudi Arabia will also build a line of over 1,000 miles to move phosphate from Jalamid and bauxite from Zabirah to the Ras Azoor seaport on the Arabian Gulf Coast. The Kingdom also plans to construct a Makkah-Madinah high-speed passenger rail line. This project will contribute significantly to the transportation of commodities and containers and will add to the development of the three main regions it covers — Riyadh, Makkah region and the Eastern province. More than 70 percent of the country’s population and business are in these three regions.
Gulf Traffic 2007 takes place on Dec. 10-12, 2007 at Dubai International Exhibition Center.