Industry leaders to meet at Middle East Rail Conference 2008 to discuss developing modern rail infrastructure

Dubai, UAE, 7 October 2008:  As local roads choke with traffic and heavy goods vehicles crawl along the highways, a modern railway network is urgently needed to ease the growing pains of many modern Middle Eastern cities, according to transport experts.   They will be meeting at MEED's Middle East Rail Conference 2008 next month to look at the increasing number of ambitious projects already underway in the region. These include the pioneering development of a light railway network in Dubai which Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia look set to follow and more than 7, 500 kilometres of railway planned or underway in Saudi Arabia.

Building railway networks capable of supporting the exponential growth of the region is essential but it won't be easy. The region's public and private transport providers intend to fast-track all projects within the next five to ten years.  Recently introduced GCC railway regulations, the complexity of integrating rail networks across the region, road-rail integration and the long term feasibility of financing such massive works are just a few of the challenges involved.

Now in its fifth year, the Middle East Rail Projects 2008 conference - one of many influential events to be organised by intelligence experts MEED - will explore the key challenges and highlight the enormous potential for those involved in this growth area of infrastructure development and construction.  Supported by Platinum Sponsor Invensys Rail Group (IRG), the two-day conference will be held on October 14 to 16, 2008 at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai. 

Edmund O'Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events comments:             

"There is a very real sense of urgency - and a huge weight of expectation being placed upon the rail sector - as the Middle East looks to ensure that there is the infrastructure in place to support the region's exponential economic growth and diversification.

"Plans laid out by forward-thinking and ambitious governments, such as those in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, will provide extraordinary opportunities for the private sector and fascinating work for the individuals involved. Now more than ever is the time to get involved and learn more about this dynamic and profitable industry." 

Some key experts contributing to the Middle East Rail Projects 2008 conference include:

  • Dr. Nasser Saif Al-Mansoori, Chairman, National Transport Authority

  • Ghazi Al-Ahmadi, Engineer and Board Member, Al-Harbi Group

  • Paul Abbosh, Regional Development Director (Middle East and India), Atkins

  • Bassam Mansour, Director, Rail Group - Middle East, Bovis Lend and Lease

  • Andrew Herring, Partner (Regulatory and Heavy Rail Specialist), DLA Piper

  • Nicholas Hann, Managing Director, Macquarie Bank

  • Eng. Abdul Redha Abu Al-Hassan, Director of Planning and Development, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai

  • Richard Silvester, Manager Rail, Parsons Brinckerhoff  World

  • Eng. Abdullah M. Al-Omran, Project Director, Saudi Rail Company

  • Pierre Henri Multon, Vice-President (Americas Middle East & Africa), Systra

Delegates will also have the opportunity to attend pre-conference masterclasses to find out how to best develop market and pricing strategies for Middle East Railways and to explore the variety of complex signalling systems available today. Attendees will receive practical advice on developing rail services suited to the Middle East region. 

MEED is the acknowledged market-leader in key regional industry-focused events and conferences; delivering expert, up-to-date business intelligence, industry data and research findings.  More information about Middle East Rail Projects 2008 conference - including latest news, pre-event workshop and full conference details, can be found at www.meed.com/events/rail 

To reserve places at the conference, call the MEED customer services team on +9714 390 0049 or email conferences@meed-dubai.com.

Since November 2007, MEED is no longer referred to as the 'Middle East Economic Digest', but as the leading source of business intelligence in the Middle East.  

Please delete 'Middle East Economic Digest' from any reference points and refrain from using this term in any press coverage.

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About MEED
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For additional information please contact: Emily Hewitt or Mustafa Al-Sheikhly at Four Communications, telephone: +971 55 985 3371 / M. +971 55 985 3376, email: meed@fourcommunications.com 

© Press Release 2008