The first broad regional GCC conference focusing on transport and railways is set to take place in Doha, Qatar, this October.
The conference, which aims to assess plans for the development of road and railway networks in the region, as well as plans to enhance the economic and logistic integration between GCC countries, is expected to become a major annual event.
This year’s conference will see more than 500 policy makers and industry leaders gather to discuss issues such as GCC roads and railways development plans, as well as the challenges of implementation and the huge investment opportunities they will create.
It will 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.
Organisers anticipate that the conference will provide exceptional networking opportunities with high-level participants – contributing to the process of exchanging ideas and experiences and tying up business partnerships.
Attendees include; ministers of transportation, finance and public works of the GCC countries, as well as representatives of regional and international organisations, experts in transportation from countries in the region and abroad, international manufacturers and operators of railways systems, engineering and consultancy companies, contractors, financial institutions, regional and international banks and a wide spectrum of other stakeholders.
Talking about the event and its importance for the region, Sheikh Saoud Bin Nasser Bin Jassem Al-Thani, deputy chairman of Qatar Railways Company (RAIL), said: “The most important objective of the conference is to examine the coordination prospects between the Gulf countries with regard to various national plans aimed at developing railway networks, land linkage systems and transportation integration in the region.”
He added: “The Gulf countries are embracing one of the largest railways network and land linkage development programs in the world. Due to the strategic importance of this sector, it is natural that the stakeholders from the region meet global experts, policy makers 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 be held under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar, on 17 – 19 October, 2011, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha, Qatar. It will coincide with the Qatar International Exhibition for Transport and Logistics (TRANS4), organised by Al-Baida Group at the Doha Exhibition Centre, Qatar.