RTA has finalised PPPs law

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finalised preparation of a draft law regulating the public-private partnerships (PPPs), taking into consideration the recommendations of the UN in this regard, said a senior RTA official.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, said the RTA’s partnership committee working with the private sector is in the process of floating the initial marine transit projects for the private sector with the aim of reducing the cost of operating and maintaining the marine transit modes to the government, and accordingly attract future investment to the marine transport infrastructure.

“This project comprises the operation of a few strategic lines necessary for providing marine transit modes in the Emirate; which also entails the reduction of the government subsidy to the minimum level, while allowing the private sector with the freedom of suggesting innovative means and options for operating and managing other lines as well as selling or leasing marine transit modes,” said Al Tayer.

He also informed that the RTA has finalised the policy of partnership with the private sector in transport projects and services, and prepared a manual for engaging in partnerships with them in transport infrastructure projects covering the concepts, features, objectives and interactions involved in the partnership model with the private sector.

The Authority has also finalised the preparation of a draft law regulating the partnership between the public and private sectors at the Dubai Emirate level, taking into consideration the recommendations of the UN in this regard.

He stressed that this law comprises the definitions, objectives, and scope of application as well as the organisational unit of partnership, parameters of selecting private sector entities, provisions of the partnership contract, transfer procedures and settlement of disputes.

The RTA has also developed the provisional assessment mechanism for identifying the priorities of the infrastructure and transport services projects in which the RTA can enter in partnership with the private sector, besides resetting the Organisational Chart of the Commercial Affairs and Investment Department where the Investment and Partnership with the Private Sector is introduced, said Al Tayer.

He was speaking at the Business Breakfast meeting organized by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Hamad Buamim, Director General of Dubai Chamber, also stressed on the need to build a strong relationship between Dubai’s public and private sectors.

Buamim pointed out that the networking meeting was part of Dubai Chamber’s efforts in strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors which is very important for the successful functioning of the business community. “These events will help the business community to get first-hand knowledge of important business information and updates which will ultimately help them in enhancing their business interests while contributing to the business competitiveness of the Emirate,” he said.

Buamim further added that for many years now Dubai has been the region’s leading business and financial hub, boasting a commercial network to rival many other major economic centres. However, as a business facilitator, the Chamber is continuously striving to improve the Emirate’s business climate with the ultimate aim of making it the world’s best business hub.

Dubai Chamber members' exports up 24.2%

Dubai Chamber said its members’ total exports and re-exports rose 24.2 per cent to Dh19.7 billion in the first month of this year.

“In January, our members’ total exports and re-exports were valued at Dh19.7 billion registering a 24.2% year-on-year growth. Meanwhile, during the same period, the number of exporters increased, as did the number of markets they exported to – both positive indicators of the overall health of Dubai’s economy,” said Buamim.

He said the year 2011 promises to be one of sustainable growth for the city as the members’ trade figures are almost back to the pre-crisis levels.

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