Iran, UAE discuss rail cooperation

Senior Iranian and UAE officials discussed raid and road transportation cooperation between the two countries. The issue was raised in a meeting between Iran's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Mohammad Reza Fayyaz and Chairman of the UAE's Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Mattar Al Tayer. The meeting was also participated by an Iranian delegation and the CEO of the UAE's Rail Agency, Adnan Al Hammadi and Director of Marketing and Corporate Communication Aysha Saad Al Busmait. During the meeting, the two parties discussed the prospects of strengthening cooperation and sharing expertise between RTA and its counterpart in Iran and promoting the cooperation between the UAE and the Iranian organizations operating in the rail industry and the construction of road projects. Al Tayer briefed the Iranian delegation on RTA's experience in constructing and operating the Dubai Metro in a record time, with the second phase recently opened on 9/9/2011. "The Green Line will skyrocket the number of users of the Green and Red Lines of Dubai Metro to more than 250.000 passengers a day as if serves downtown, densely populated residential areas, as well as markets, shopping centers and outlets that attract large numbers of shoppers." He also touched on the projects that RTA is planning to undertake in the near future such as the expansion of roads network and crossings on Dubai Creek, and other transport projects. He also addressed RTA's plan in strengthening the partnership with the private sector in constructing some RTA projects in the near future. The Iranian envoy, for his part, congratulated the RTA on the opening of the Green Line of the Dubai Metro. The Iranian ambassador said Tehran is ready to boost cooperation and exchange of visits and expertise with the RTA.