Transport networks upgrade a catalyst for national development - minister

CAIRO, Nov 24 (MENA) – Minister of Transport Hisham Arafat said Saturday that upgrading transport networks and infrastructure is a catalyst for national development.

In a speech he delivered during the inaugural session of the 2nd GeoMEast 2018 International Congress and Exhibition, he said transport networks are among of the most vital services sectors that contribute to economic and social development nationwide.

Held in Cairo under the auspices of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli from November 24 to 28, under the rubric "Sustainable Civil Infrastructures: Structural Integrity", the event witnesses the participation of experts and officials from 70 countries.

Economic growth is impacted by the efficiency of a nation's various transport systems, Arafat said.

Egypt made a big leap in the field of transportation development, as it progressed dozens of ranks up in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) on road quality, the minister said.

Egypt came in the 75th position in the GCR's ranking, up from 118 in 2014, the minister elaborated, adding it also advanced to 40th position instead of 60th in the GCR's ranking on ports infrastructure and to the 51st place in railways quality, up from 78th.

Arafat pointed out that Egypt is carrying out a comprehensive plan for developing and modernizing its transport systems; including roads, bridges, railways, subways, maritime ports, river transport, and land crossings, as part of its 2030 sustainable development strategy.

This modernization drive aims at upgrading the transport systems and networks to match transport development standards globally, the minister said.

GeoMEast 2018 showcases recent developments and advancements in design, construction, and safety Inspections of transportation Infrastructures and offers a forum to discuss and debate future approaches for the 21st century.

The conference's topics cover a broad array of contemporary issues for professionals involved in bridge, pavement, geomechanics, geo-environmental, geotechnical, geosciences, geophysics, tunnel, water structures, railway and emerging techniques for safety inspections.