Business & Money | Tuesday 4 April, 2017 2:55 pm |

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi opened the Middle East RoadandBridge Forum 2017 on 3rd April organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development on Monday and Tuesday, 3-4 April at the Intercontinental Festival City.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Al Mansouri, acting undersecretary of Ministry of Infrastructure Development, His Excellency Engineer Dr. Abdullah Al-Salem AlKathiri, Director General of the Federal Transport Authority - Land and Maritime, assistant undersecretaries and some of national, Arabian Gulf and Middle East authorities responsible for road and bridge sector.

Engineer Hassan

The Minister affirmed that the forum is a platform gathering large emerging companies and enterprises concerned with advanced infrastructure development from the Gulf and Middle East region in addition to creative brainstorming innovators who contribute in delineating technologically, environmentally, economically, traffic safety and other fields in this infrastructure and roads regard. This proves the great importance of the forum and reflects United Arab Emirates’ prominent place in the infrastructure and road development.

He said: “UAE’s able leadership gives great importance to the infrastructure and road network. This contributes to supporting inclusive development index and achieving

accomplishments in the field of infrastructure. The projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development are considered one of the most important dependable confluents for enhancing living condition and providing basic services for the citizens. It is also one of the important and vital sectors contributing to national economic growth.”

His Excellency, the Minister of Infrastructure Development, explained that the arterial roads building took centre stage at UAE’s priorities and concern to please nationals and residents in the UAE. This makes the Ministry create programmes and plans for achieving this goal and build roads connecting areas with each other. Development and building accelerated as the UAE federal highways now are 3600 kilometer-lane.

He referred that the UAE undergoes a massive and fast change in different fields and the Ministry binds to stay abreast of the latest developments. This is performed by foreseen future challenges and identifies scenarios for all vital sectors including federal roads sector, analysing and designing long-term plans for achieving paradigm

shift in the infrastructure sector, supporting different social, economic and transport sectors for achieving inclusive development, welfare and satisfaction of nationals and residents.

He referred that the Ministry meets its responsibility as an executive arm for federal government to execute federal roads as per international specifications as part of its efforts to achieve UAE National Agenda 2021. He referred that the UAE approaches to continue its remarkable course and maintain the international first place in the field of road quality which was achieved by the Ministry in the last four years.

Eng. Ahmed Abdallah Ahmed AlHammadi, Director of Road Department of Ministry of Infrastructure Development, in his opening statement expressed his deepest thank you to different entities contributing to the forum’s success. He also wished to be international during the next edition and host concerned authorities of road and bridge all over the world.

He referred that the forum during this session was characterised by huge public interest from all concerned parties in roads and bridges all over the Middle East. Over 300 attendees participated at the event that represented different Middle Eastern countries plus over 20 solution providers in this field. He wished for the forum to be global during the next years.

He referred that the Middle East Road and Bridge Forum 2017 will focus during discussions on developing basic aspects of infrastructure in the Gulf area and Middle East transportation. It aims at setting plans and programmes for overcoming challenges in this vital sector for accomplishing progress, better future and satisfaction for societies.

International Quality & Productivity Centre (IQPC) Middle East Managing Director Leila Masinaei commented that: “This forum will provide annual platform for concerned parties and solution providers in the region to support country’s position for establishing solutions for their challenges in the field of infrastructure and road field”.

In the same course, numbers affirmed that GCC governmental spending on infrastructure is expected to reach USD 288 billion by 2020. In view of major challenges such as overpopulation and road traffic density increase, land transportation improvement has the major opportunity and substantial recruitment for supporting this fast development for these countries government.

On the other side, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi received the award of pioneer in leadership and innovation of the field of infrastructure development in transportation given by International Productivity and Quality Centre headquartered in New York, USA, and a regional office in Dubai.

At the end of the ceremony, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi accompanied by Eng. Ahmed Abdallah Ahmed Alhammadi, Director of Road Department of Ministry of Infrastructure Development,

have honored winning initiatives in the field of road safety. Aramco has won the award for best initiative in the field of minimising road congestion. Award for

Salem AlKathiri, Director General of the Federal Transport Authority - Land and

best innovation campaign in traffic safety was given to H.E. Mohammed Jarman, General Manager of Emirates Transport, Emirates Transport

Emirates Driving Institute received the award for Best Road Safety Campaign by a Transport Sector. Traffic safety best campaign in the between public and private sector was given to Dubai Silicon Oasis in with Volkswagen. Nissan Middle East has received the award for best
innovation campaign by an automobile company. The award of traffic campaign in retail sector is given to ENOC Auto Pro and Pepsico MENA received the same award in commercial sector. McDonald’s Arabia won the award for safety innovation campaign by a food chain.