JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia remains one of the most lucrative markets for consultants, contractors, suppliers and solution providers in the global transport industry, driven by the Saudi government's aggressive development program for large-scale port, airport, rail, road and logistics projects across the country. Saudi Arabia's total transport investments are currently estimated to reach $100 billion by 2020, with over $30 billion allocated for new transport projects included in a five-year development plan unveiled. Capitalizing on the transport boom in Saudi Arabia, key players in the global transport industry are eager to meet decision makers from Saudi ministries, transportation authorities, municipalities and development authorities during the Saudi Urban Transport Conference 2011, a dedicated business-to-business networking event for all stakeholders of Saudi's transportation sector. Organized by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Municipalities & Rural Affairs and International Quality & Productivity Centre (IQPC), the conference will provide a platform for discussions on best practices in urban transportation planning, infrastructure strategies, advances in transport technology, sustainable practices, potential private-public partnerships, transport safety, future transportation trends and several other key issues in the Saudi transport sector. Jamie Dowswell, conference director, IQPC, said: “With the Saudi government's aggressive plans to overhaul existing transportation infrastructure, a huge window of opportunity has been opened for contractors and transport solution providers from the region and around the world. The Urban Transport Conference 2011 thus serves as a must-attend event for all stakeholders in the Saudi transport sector as it provides an exclusive venue to discuss opportunities and challenges in transportation project planning, execution and integration. The conference serves as the perfect platform for key players from both sides of the market to engage in high-level, meaningful discussions about new projects, technological advances, potential business partnerships and other important issues in the transport sector.” Key figures in urban transportation have confirmed their attendance at the conference, which will be held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, 2011 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Riyadh. The Saudi Arabian government ministries that are expected to send representatives to the conference include Transportation, Municipal and Rural Affairs, Haj, and Planning and Interior, while the Saudi Arabian development authorities attending the event include Arriyadh Development Authority and the Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Authority. The event expects to gather representatives from the Saudi Railways Organization, Saudi municipalities, and private sector partners such as investment companies and local consultants.
