Govt to allocate tenders for large transport projects

The Saudi Arabian government is looking to allocate tenders on the many large transport projects in the Kingdom. Local government bodies and huge delegations from international service providers gathered on Saturday at the Kingdom Mass Transport Summit in Riyadh.
The two-day initiative commenced at Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital. It will provide a platform for experts to help realize the government's aim to spend over US$ 100 billion on transportation before 2020.
Over the two days a series of world-renowned speakers — including Ibrahim Abu Ras, mayor of Al-Kharj City and Prince Abdulaziz bin Mishal Al-Saud from Al-Shoula Group – will deliver keynote addresses on topics ranging from private finance initiatives to the Arriyadh Development Authority.
In his opening remarks conference chairperson Atul Aggarwal, senior transport specialist at the World Bank, emphasized the macro economic outlook of the sector and its value to the Kingdom.
Mohammed Almesradi, head of the Transport Department at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took the discussion on the economic outlook further by focusing on plans to improve life for the next generation of Saudis and visitors to the nation, thus helping to enhance the competitive business nature of KSA and the capital.
During the first three sessions, many of the attending industry guru’s discussed the total value of investment over the next 20 years and how it would easily reach US$50 billion, primarily for transport systems such as aviation, rail and road infrastructure. Ibrahim Said Ahmed Aburas said, “Private sector involvement in public services will lead to a reduction in the cost of living for residents in the Kingdom.”
Nabil Basri, public transport interchange consultant at Jeddah municipality, highlighted the intricate nature of including the environment, economy and land use into transport networks. It is important to remember that the impact of socio-cultural values can be just as important as the economic value of a good infrastructure.
“The summit has been a great success on day one,” said Fabien Faure, managing director at Naseba, a business information company. One of the best panels for a lot of attendees was on long-term financing models and profit incentives to ensure an effective sustainable transport infrastructure. This discussion included Atul Agarwal, Ibrahim Abu Ras and Omar M Al-Fadil, vice president at the Integrated Transport Co. There was some debate about whether the economic crisis in Europe would hurt investment plans for the Kingdom. In the end it is believed that KSA has enough finance potential locally to be able to sustain further investments.
A host of local and international companies, including BYD, Mercedes-Benz, Rio Contracting and Trading, Kinglong and Alarko Group also attended to exhibit their products and do direct business with the officials responsible for all the major transportation projects within the Kingdom.
Day two of the event will features keynotes on opportunities in the Kingdom’s megaprojects and developments, 21st-century railway stations, and how to maximize safety and sustainability with automated facilities.