Planning task force established to coordinate the development plans and goals outlined for Al Gharbia

WRDC organized the workshop to bring together all the relevant entities within the region, including the regulatory and security governance, developers, oil and gas, energy, power generation and tourism sectors. WRDC then introduced the planning task force and stressed the importance of all the entities working within the region to communicate and liaise with one another regularly.

The Al Gharbia planning task force has been set up to oversee the contingency plans and co-ordinate the requirements for all the relevant and concerned entities to facilitate work needed to develop Al Gharbia. The task force will help each entity to develop Al Gharbia as an environmentally friendly region and ensure that the residents are kept engaged on the development progress.

Addressing the workshop H.E. Mohamed Hamad Bin Azzan Al Mazrouei, Director General, WRDC said:

'I cannot stress enough the importance of all the entities working for Al Gharbia keeping each other informed of their progress to ensure that we are all on the same page. The Al Gharbia planning task force will ensure that all plans and projects for the region are well coordinated and inline with the requirements of Al Gharbia's people. It is also necessary that all information and updates, including any studies or surveys conducted in the region are communicated with all entities involved to enable growth and help us achieve our overall plan for success effectively.'

The workshop, attended by over 120 senior delegates, aimed at bringing together the various government and business entities working in Al Gharbia towards a common goal. WRDC emphasized the importance of communication and therefore, proposed a new mechanism to ensure that all involved in the region are kept updated about the general planning, development and ongoing projects in the region. The workshop also initiated an open discussion towards identifying new ideas and addressed planning issues.

Inline with initiating the steps directed towards the development of the region; the taskforce discussed the planned and ongoing residential, commercial, leisure, tourism, road and infrastructure development projects for the areas of Ruwais, Jabal Dana and Shuwaihat.

One of the key focus areas was the transportation facilities to enable better connectivity within the region and with the other emirates. In addition to lengthy discussions and development updates from Abu Dhabi Municipality on the planned roads and highways for the region; Ameri Flight also presented their recommendations for an upcoming airport expansion in Jebal Dhanna.

Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) also shed light on key initiatives set towards making Al Gharbia the next best tourist destination in the region. Phase One of the Desert Islands is near completion and scheduled to open to the public in October, 2008. The progress of Qasar Al Sarab - the luxury retreat in the Liwa desert was also presented and discussed.

The workshop also facilitated the discussion on the development of the Hydrogen Power Plant by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar and reinforced its vision, objectives and future plans.

WRDC is committed towards promoting Al Gharbia and is currently pursuing four key goals, which are the economic and social development for the benefit of the region's people, enhancement of infrastructure, promotion of investment and improvement of enterprises.