Major Abu Dhabi infrastructure, transport projects on schedule

Major infrastructure and transport projects in Abu Dhabi, including the development of the Khalifa Port, are proceeding on schedule and do not face financial problems, according to senior officials.

"Infrastructure and transport projects are proceeding with no obstacles or delays," Abdulla Rashid Al Otaiba, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport and a member of the emirate's Executive Council, told Emirates Business.

Al Otaiba was speaking on the sidelines of the Global Logistics Forum, organised by Abu Dhabi University.

"Many projects are still at the study stage. These include the new Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway and other projects such as Al Ghuwaifat-Mafraq road."

Asked when work on the Abu Dhabi Metro would start, Al Otaiba said no date had yet been set. "The comprehensive transport plan covers marine transport and highway projects," he said.

"Studies are being conducted to find out whether the new projects are in proportion with Abu Dhabi's likely population growth and distribution. Details of projects might be released over the next six months."

Mohamed Al Shamsi, Vice-President of the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone Development, said work on the first of the project's five phases was proceeding on schedule, and added: "The phase will be completed in 2012. We face no financial problems because of the support we receive from the Abu Dhabi Government."

The project is expected to create 70,000 jobs and will contain 141,000 residential units.

It is expected that by 2030 it will contribute $22 billion (Dh80.78bn) to the emirate's gross domestic product, and it will also boost Abu Dhabi's position as an international industrial and trade centre.

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told the forum's opening ceremony that the GCC, and the UAE in particular, were moving in the right direction in terms of investment in infrastructure, transport and logistics projects.

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