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Abu Dhabi Kick-starts Follow up on Vision 2030

The delegates to the session comprised of the top brass of the various entities related to the infrastructure in the private and government sectors in Abu Dhabi, as well as several international experts in the area.

Welcoming the delegates, the Executive Director of the International Relations at the DPE Hamad Al Mass said, “Infrastructure lies at the core of our strategy for economic and social development. Abu Dhabi is blessed with a strategic location, at equal distance between Europe and Asia, and it is also the perfect gateway to the GCC markets and its 36 million customers. However, the Emirate needs efficient and modern infrastructure to take full advantage of this natural position and to become the regional and global hub it aims to be.”

Emphasising that infrastructure means economic development he said, “Our economic vision 2030 highlights our strategy to move from an oil-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, through an increased diversification into industry and services, where we can attain a significant advantage.” “Infrastructure is key economic development, trade, and ultimately to the success of our strategy. For that reason the Government is undertaking major investment projects including a new port, an industrial zone at Taweelah, the expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport, and the establishment of special economic zones.”

Later talking to Khaleej Times he said through such sessions the DPE was trying to create awareness among the various strata of policy and decision makers as well as implementers in Abu Dhabi about the different models of infrastructure developments that were being followed in various countries. The idea is to imbibe the best practices among them, after making appropriate adaptations. On the efforts to woo foreign investments to Abu Dhabi, he said the emphasis would be on transfer of technologies and developing local expertise. Abu Dhabi will look forward to high quality labour in future once its ongoing constructions works were over. Systematic efforts will be made to build up local talents through sustained investments in education, and training , he said. John Miller of the renowned legal firm Patton Boggs made the theme presentation on the infrastructure delivery models in various countries. According to him the Design Build Operate and Maintain model of infrastructure delivery was found to be capable of achieving a saving of 40 per cent over the full period of the existence of the infrastructure constructed, compared to other models.

ramavarman@khaleejtimes.ae