The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UIC and the association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE) signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration and exchange of information in the railway field.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, Director General of the National Transport Authority, on behalf of the UAE, Mr Michael Clausecker, Director General of UNIFE, and Mr Loubinoux, Director General of UIC. The signature took place at the occasion of Innotrans, the world’s largest fair for rail transport technologies.
Commenting on the signature, HE Dr. Nasser Saif Al Mansoori stated that “This MoU is an important step in the development of our National railways. Europe has a long‐standing history of railway capability and such agreement will be extremely helpful for our emerging industry. Our objective is to establish collaborative working relationship with European Railway Authorites and Railway Industry Leaders and aim to bring most advanced and efficient rail technology to the UAE”. Michael Clausecker, UNIFE Director General, commented “As compared to the existing alternatives, the European rail standardisation system may bring considerable benefits to countries building new railway networks. We hope that this MoU will be the beginning of a long history of cooperation with the UAE”.
On behalf of the UIC, Director General Jean‐Pierre Loubinoux highlighted the significance of this step “the UIC views the signing of this MoU with the UAE as an important part of the UIC overall objectives of spreading good industry practice and implement tried‐and‐tested international Standards globally. The UIC is a recognised world leader in the development of Railway Industry Standards and codes of practice. With our role as a supporter of the development of key infrastructure projects in all of the UIC’s 6 regions, the signing of this MoU will act as a very solid bridge between the European and Middle Eastern regions including the Arabian Gulf”.
The MoU foresees in particular some exchange of information on railway standards; cooperations on issues of general interest such as rail regulations, safety, R&D; and the organisation of regular seminars. It is signed for a period of two years.
