Sheikh Saoud, second left, explaining a point as al-Mohannadi, second right, al-Ibrahim and Zaki look on at a press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Top-level transport and railway experts from around the world are expected to take part in the GCC Transport and Railways Conference, scheduled for October 17-19, at Ritz Carlton Doha.
Sheikh Saoud bin Nasser bin Jassim al-Thani, deputy chairman, Qatar Railway Company (QRC), said yesterday that the conference assumed significance as Qatar aims to put in place a world-class railway network in the next one decade.
The QRC deputy chairman said the organisers had invited 40 experts to present relevant study papers at the conference, which would have the participation of several GCC and global officials. “At least 400 delegates from GCC states and outside are expected.”
Sheikh Saoud said: “With enough money at our disposal, GCC states are keen to develop a world-class infrastructure in transport and railway networks.”
The conference, he said, will give participants a platform to debate ways of developing the maritime and air transport systems, logistics, transportation and railway networks in the GCC states.
Along with the conference, there will be a Qatar International Exhibition for Transport & Logistics (Trans4) at the Doha
Exhibition Center.
“It’s not only the linkage of the regional transportation networks that is going to be discussed at the conference, but the ways to enhance the economic and logistical environment between the region’s states will also be featured. Also the possibility of further extending the GCC networks with other parts of the region and beyond,” said Sheikh Saoud.
Such issues as strategies and policies for the development and financing of the transport sector - land as well as maritime - in the GCC area, expansion and investment, trade and mobility facilitation, exchange of experience and benchmarking, inter-modal national and regional networks and facilities, institutional reforms, investment opportunities and public private participation would be covered at the
conference.
Saad Ahmed al-Mohannadi, chief operating officer, Qatar Railway Company (QRC), said the conference will provide the stake-holders in regional transport and railways a good chance to share their experiences and crucial information among themselves. “The participation of ministers and high-level officials in transport and railway sectors demonstrate the seriousness accorded to the event by the GCC nations,” he said.
According to the QRC, close to 90% of the delegates would be from outside the GCC. “This is because, those coming from outside have knowledge and understanding of the railway networks of global standards,” he said.
Qatar National Bank, Deutsche Bahn International, Qatari Diari Real Estate Investment, QDVC, Bomabardier, Qatar Rail Alliance, Al Khodari, Masraf al Rayyan, TUV SUD, Andrade Gutierrex, Alstom and Doha Cables are the sponsors.
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