DUBAI, 22nd August, 2017 (WAM) -- The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, in collaboration with the French Business Council in Dubai and Northern Emirates, will host the first Emirati - French Business Engagement Summit on 25th September, as part of efforts to create an environment conducive to growth of trade and investment between the two sides.

"More than 200 CEOs and leaders from the public and the private sectors in Dubai and France, as well as government representatives from both parties, are expected to attend the summit in addition to multinational companies, financial institutions and start-ups," said Ibrahim Al Haddad, RTAs Director of the Commercial and Investment Department.

"This summit forms part of a comprehensive plan for business development, boosts international trade and investment relations, and enhances the collaboration and accessibility to foreign markets. It will enable the RTA to benefit from international expertise and attract local & foreign investments to Dubai in the field of transportation infrastructure," he added.

"I wish to thank RTA, especially Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, for placing his trust in us by accepting to organise in RTAs Headquarters this first of its kind summit on urban mobility. French companies are well known for their "savoir-faire" in the transportation sector and have already many noteworthy achievements to their credit in the UAE," said Bruno de Reneville, French Business Council President.

"Following a mutually beneficial visit by a high-level RTA team to France last July, we have today a unique momentum to strengthen our links. I am confident that the infrastructure boom in Dubai triggered by Expo 2020 would create new business and investment opportunities that French companies stand to benefit from. Beyond the well-known solutions of our large corporations, what France also has to offer to the RTA is a wide network of start-ups and SMEs that create a smarter and happier future," added Reneville.

Mrs. Laurence Batlle, Chairwoman of RATP Dev Executive Board, the Platinum Sponsor of the Summit said, "We are delighted to be the reference partner of this major event in Dubai alongside the Roads & Transport Authority and the French Business Council. At RATP Dev, we are longstanding and true believers in Dubais and RTAs unique vision and ambition: innovate and build the mobility of the future through a safe and reliable public transport offer in order to support the development of this amazing city."

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.