Middle East governments commit USD147 billion to transport projects

As the business and tourism sectors continue to follow steep upward growth curves, many projects are in the planning and construction stages in line with the region's ambition to deliver effective, innovative, world-class transportation systems.

Conceived in 2002 to support this development, the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference, staged every two years in Dubai and supported by 40 government organisations, is the Middle East's largest and most comprehensive international transport event. The 2005 show attracted more than 200 companies from over 30 countries.

'The region is faced with a real challenge, as populations are expanding at an incredible rate,' said Sarah Woodbridge, Group Director Exhibitions, IIR Middle East - organisers of the event.

'The level of investment is staggering, with Dubai to invest US$6.8 billion in roads and public transport infrastructure by 2008, Qatar undertaking projects worth US$130 billion over the next ten years, Kuwait investing US$4 billion in transport infrastructure and upgrades and Oman allocating US$342 million to transport infrastructure projects - and that's just the beginning.'

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has initiated a number of developments with a total investment in excess of US$4 billion, including road construction, bridge building and a state of the art metro system. The RTA has also completed its study on the Dubai Master Plan for traffic through to 2020. 'Based on available statistics for the current development projects, we are planning a road network for a projected population of five million people in Dubai excluding tourists,' said Mattar Al Tayer, CEO of the RTA. Dubai's population according to the last census is 1.2 million.

Saudi Arabia is also highly active, the first phases of their programme of activity estimated at US$5.6 billion for the construction of bridges and railway networks to improve travel throughout the Kingdom, while in Bahrain, designs for the 40 km US$1.8 billion causeway linking Bahrain and Qatar have already been submitted. Elsewhere, Iranian Road and Transportation Minister Ahmed Khorram recently promised over US$31 million in loans and grants to Tajikistan to complete the 5km Anzab Tunnel. Iran has taken a keen interest in regional road building, and in addition to looking at the development of a north-south corridor that would link its cities to Russia, Iran has pressed ahead with construction of a highway into Afghanistan.

'Significantly, traffic accidents in the GCC cost governments between 1.5% and 2.5% of their GDP every year (compared to 0.75% in the UK and US), with the majority of victims in their early twenties,' said Woodbridge. 'Thus, the easing of traffic flows, which should help to reduce the number of accidents, will also have a substantial financial benefit.'

Gulf Traffic has quickly established itself as a major regional and international event, 93% of exhibitors saying that it met or surpassed their overall expectations, 95% that the visitor quality met or surpassed their expectations and 95% met or surpassed their objectives for future sales.

'The really strong interest we've experienced shows how keen people are to improve the traffic situation and to see what technology is available to solve traffic problems. We've been able to interact with some new, highly experienced consultants from Europe, the US and Australia who are keen to help us with experience and technical know-how,' said Syed Mohiuddin Afoz of Dubai's RTA after the 2005 show.

And the business prospects into the long term are excellent. 'This is our first trip outside the UK. We've been looking for new markets and we can't believe how successful Gulf Traffic has been for us. You can tell people are excited about growth and the business opportunities in the Middle East.' said Matthew Tucker of Morgan Tucker.

'The show helps open up new markets for us. We have made a lot of good contacts with people in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and, of course, the UAE.' said Christian Kügler of Siemens AG Transportation Systems.

Gulf Traffic 2007 takes place from the 9th to 11th December 2007 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre and will once again bring together international manufacturers and suppliers offering the very latest products, services and technologies for the traffic and transport industry, comprehensively covering all aspects of roads, rail, bridges, construction, tunneling and infrastructure.