Doha

The importance of Private Public Partnership in developing transportation infrastructure in the country was highlighted at the two-day Qatar Transport Forum concluded on Wednesday.

The forum was held under the patronage of Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani.

Addressing the forum Minister of Transport HE Jassem Bin Saif al-Sulaiti elaborated on how vital and inevitable are public-private alliances for the smooth implementation of better public transport system in the country.

While recalling the ongoing initiatives and major projects in the country, the minister said the small and medium enterprises have benefited from such partnerships and explained how they contributed to the economic growth of Qatar.

At the sessions held as part of the forum Mowasalat made an array of presentations, highlighting the necessity of developing public transportation.

Among the issues discussed were the roles of integrating people movers, public transport assets and facilities. The company officials cited the example of their Taxi Franchise programme, which was achieved in partnership with the private sector.

The strides made at the Oman Vehicle Assembly plant were also deliberated.

The speakers explained how the experiment succeeded in giving a new dimension to the transport industry in the GCC.

They said the country's transport solution provider is delivering its competencies impeccably to achieving sustainable development through its better professional expertise.

On a visit to the company's pavilion minister al-Sulaiti praised the efforts being made by their staff to make its activities useful and beneficial to the public.

Mowasalat CEO Khalid Nasser al-Hail presented a memento to the minister in honour of his visit.

Al-Hail later explained how the company is working to meet the market needs and requirements. He also highlighted the regional and international initiatives and the latest developments in transport sector.

While reiterating that there would be active collaboration between the government and business sectors in future, Al-Hail said such partnerships would enhance new logistic services and facilities including multimedia transport centers in future. It would also create new partnerships for services to operate and maintain the buildings and facilities being built in preparations to host the Fifa World Cup 2022.

Later PR Manager Khaled Kafoud spoke about the company's plans to introduce buses for the transportation of labourers in line with the requirements of the traffic department. The official also made a presentation in the new school buses which would provide safe mobility to the students.