IIR launches regional rail community congress

MENA Rail will run as part of the Gulf Traffic Congress, which will be held at the Dubai International Convention Centre from December 8-11 this year and will be officially, inaugurated by Qassim Sultan the Director General of the Dubai Municipality which is the Chief Event Sponsor.

'This is the region's first-ever dedicated rail congress,' explained Davyd Farrell, Project Director, Gulf Traffic. 'MENA Rail is a timely addition to the Gulf Traffic profile coming, as it does, as the region is increasingly examining rail as a viable and alternative mode of transport for both people and goods.'

The three-day MENA Rail congress will run from December 8 to 10, and will be chaired by Nasser Saeed, Chairman of Dubai Municipality's Light Rail Project. It will feature a number vertical industry sessions probing key issues impacting the future of rail throughout the MENA region as well as infrastructure joint session.

'The sessions include intrastate and interstate urban transport, the North African perspective and public transit - building stronger and sustainable communities,' explained Farrell. 'The infrastructure joint session will feature case studies from Syria, Bahrain, Thailand and Norway.'

Speakers from 12 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Scandinavia and the Far East will address MENA Rail, which has won the backing of four major industry associations, including the Arab Union of Rail.

'Throughout the region rail is being investigated as a possible solution to the many transportation challenges faced,' said Nasser Saeed. 'This conference will help raise awareness of the issues faced, the alternative solutions and assist delegates in learning from the experience of others. It is an excellent means of assisting the development of the rail industry throughout the region.'

MENA Rail's Keynote speaker will be Dr. Bassam Anani, First Economic Affairs Officer of the Transport Section, Global Integration Division, of the Beirut-headquartered United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

'Dr. Anani will take delegates through the stages of development of the railways agreement, its current status and the future prospects and implementation of the agreement,' explained Farrell.

Other presentations will focus on Saudi Arabia's railway expansion programme, the revival of the Hijaz railway, future Jordan Railways projects, the promotion and consolidation of a rail link to Europe and Central Asia, the future role of The Lebanese Railways network and the advancement and reinforcement of North African railways.

The Gulf Traffic congress will focus clearly on regional analysis of the transport industry; provide insights into major community projects and their influence on traffic management and urban planning. It will offer solutions to all the myriad associated challenges for a fast growing region, such as the Middle East.

The Gulf Traffic Exhibition running adjacent to the two congresses is being held against a backdrop of the Middle East preparing to spend billions of dollars on expressways and improved traffic networks. The event has more than 80 exhibitors from 25 countries and endorsements from 40 government agencies around the greater Middle East region. The event is being supported by associations from around the globe, from the USA in the West to New Zealand in the East.