Sheikh Saoud al-Thani (second left) flanked by al-Ibrahim, al-Misnad and Zaki
Qatar will host the first GCC Transport and Railways Conference from October 17 to 19 under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani.
The event, scheduled at the Ritz Carlton Doha, will coincide with the Qatar International Exhibition for Transport and Logistics (TRANS4), organised by Al-Baida Group at the Doha Exhibition Centre.The conference is being organised by the Qatar Railways Company (QRC) in association with the General Secretariat of the GCC, the Federation of GCC Chambers, the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group.“This major and unique event is expected to bring together high-level participation from policymakers, regulators, operators, manufacturers, contractors, consultants and other players in the transport and railway industry,” QRC deputy chairman Sheikh Saoud bin Nasser bin Jassim al-Thani said yesterday. GCC ministers of transport, finance and public works in addition to representatives of regional and international organisations, major engineering companies, regional and international banks and financial institutions, and a wide spectrum of stakeholders are expected to attend. The conference will discuss and deal with many topics related to the development of the transportation, communication and railway industry in the GCC countries.There will be special focus on GCC road and railway plans and programmes, and developments and challenges in the implementation of these plans and projects and the huge investment opportunities that they will create.“Opportunities for regional and international engineering and contracting companies, the expected impact of transport and rail projects on regional trade flows, and operational and organisational issues will also be discussed,” he said. The event will offer an excellent opportunity for business networking and direct contacts with relevant government bodies and officials.“The most important objective of the conference is to examine the co-ordination prospects between the Gulf countries with regard to various national plans aiming at developing railways networks, land linkage systems and transportation integration in the region and the potential impact of these investment plans on the regional economy, and on the trade flow between the Gulf countries themselves and with other countries,” the official stated.Sheikh Saoud al-Thani pointed out that the Gulf countries are embracing one of the largest railways network and land linkage development programmes in the world.  “Due to the strategic importance of this sector, it is natural that the stakeholders from the region meet global experts, policymakers and industry leaders with a view of assessing these significant investment plans and their consistency with not only the short-term, but also the long-term needs of the countries to expand this industry and achieve regional economic integration.”The conference will shed light on the GCC roads and railways development plans as well as the challenges of implementation and the huge investment opportunities they will create. It will also tackle the potential economic and social impact of these investments and the expected impact on the movement of people and goods, private investments as well as other regulatory and operational issues. The main topics to be addressed include: visions and strategies of transportation in GCC countries, GCC investment plans in transportation industry, international experience in developing and integrating transportation systems, potential economic and social impact of GCC investments in transportation and railways, potentials of developing the GCC logistics industry, public-private partnership in transportation, potential opportunities to private sector, and financing needs.QRC group director – projects and technical, Ghanim Hassan Ali al-Ibrahim, QCCI board member and honorary treasurer Ali Abdulatif al-Misnad, and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group deputy CEO Faysal Abou Zaki were also present on the occasion.