Qatar to host key GCC transport conference

The GCC Transport and Railways Conference will kick-start here on October 17 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and will coincide with Qatar International Exhibition for Transport and Logistics (TRANS4). The three-day event is organized by Qatar Railways Company (RAIL), in association with the GCC Secretariat General, the Federation of GCC Chambers, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group. Member of the Conference's organising committee, QCCI's Honorary Secretary and Head of its services sector Ali bin Abdul Latif Al Missned told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the conference will discuss ways of developing GCC maritime and air transport, logistics, transportation and railways systems as well as rail and road plans linking the Gulf states. It will also review the latest developments related to transport sector and transportation systems, and discuss GCC plans for the development of road network linkage, particularly railways to enhance the economic and logistical linkage between the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as between them and other countries of the world, he also said, adding that the event will review the prospects for coordination among GCC member states' various national plans that aimed at improving rail networks and road linkage systems in the region as well as the expected impact for this investment plans on its economy. Al Missned also stressed that pioneering regional and international experiences in this regard will be presented on the sidelines of the conference, calling upon GCC participants to take advantage of this “extra-ordinary” event in order to exchange expertise with leading world companies. This conference is expected to bring together over 500 high-level participants form countries across the world, including policy-makers, regulators, operators, manufacturers, contractors, consultants and other players in the transport and railway industry led by GCC ministers of transport, finance and public works in addition to representatives of regional and international organizations, major engineering companies, and regional and international banks and financial institutions.