Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has discussed with Maurizio Lupi, Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, potential cooperation and sharing of expertise between the RTA and Italian entities operating in rail, transport and road sectors.
They meeting also screened road and public transport projects the RTA is considering to undertake in the near future.
The meeting, attended by Giorgio Starace, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the UAE and a host of officials from the RTA, Al Tayer commended the distinctive relations between the UAE and Italy, which paved the way for boosting mutual trade exchanges, joint ventures in various fields as well as the growing tourist visits exchanged between the two friendly peoples.
Al Tayer spoke about investment prospects available to the private sector in roads and transportation projects the RTA is intending to undertake up to 2020. Plans developed for such projects in the light of growing population during those years, and the requirements of hosting Expo 2020. Such plans envisage constructing main roads & bridges extending hundreds of kilometers in addition to crossings on the Dubai Creek, and ring roads around the existing and new development and activity centres.
“The forthcoming years will witness the construction and operation of rail projects spanning both the metro and tram, costing billions of dirhams. These projects include extending the Dubai Metro Red Line to the exhibition area where Expo 2020 will be held, extending the Green Line of the Dubai Metro, and undertaking Phase II of the Dubai Tram Project. Future projects constitute a new opportunity for businesses to bid for tenders released by the RTA, and the RTA is considering the adoption of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with a view to introducing attractive business elements that motivate the private sector to take the initiative of undertaking such projects and bearing the costs of their construction against benefiting from their returns during a contract period,” explained Al Tayer.
For his part, the Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, said he was clearly impressed by the projects accomplished by the RTA, particularly in the field of mass transit systems such as the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and public transport means; and appreciated the speed of delivering them in a record time.
“Italy is seeking to boost relationships with the UAE and advancing bilateral trade to higher levels. This meeting offers a good opportunity to share expertise between Italian businesses and the RTA in constructing and managing infrastructure projects in roads and public transport sector,” said the Italian Minister.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
