Abu Dhabi expands infrastructure plan

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi government plans to massively boost its infrastructure through long-term investments to upgrade airports, seaports and public transportation system to support the emirate's economic development, said the Executive Council in its recently issued Policy Agenda for 2007-08.

It said the proposed $7 billion international airport would provide capacity for 20 million passengers per year in its first phase, due to be completed between 2010 and 2012.

"When the total project is completed, the airport will have capacity for 50 million passengers per year.

"In addition, the new airport is expected to service up to two million tonnes of freight and cargo each year," said the Executive Council, adding that a new 4,100 metre runway will be completed by the end of this year.

In addition, the Executive Council noted that Etihad Airlines, which was launched in 2003 to play a key role in the emirate's broader ambitions in tour-ism and business, currently flies to four continents from Abu Dhabi and estimates it will have 70 destinations by 2010.

"Etihad expects to expand its annual passenger numbers from around one million in 2005 to approximately 20 million by 2018. The successful expansion of Etihad's capacity will be critical to achieving the government's tourism objectives and the development of Abu Dhabi as an accessible international destination," it said.

Abu Dhabi is embarking on an ambitious strategy to attract three million visitors per year by 2015.

Turning to seaports, the Executive Council said a decision has been made to transfer all of Mina Zayed's port activities to a new facility - the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone - located at Al Taweelah.

"The deep-water port will provide 33 million tonnes of dedicated bulk and cargo capacity in the first phase.

"By the completion of Phase 2, the port will have a capacity of 80 million tonnes and handle all of Mina Zayed's current operations," it said.

The council said the new port will be complemented by a 100 square kilometre industrial zone. The zone will cater to base metals, heavy industry, chemicals, trade/logistics, building materials, medium and light industry.

"The industrial zone also will house a new aluminium smelter with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per year," it added.

Transport

With regard to public transportation, mass transport options such as rail and a broader public transport plan will be developed as soon as a clear master plan is developed for the city and the broader emirate of Abu Dhabi, said the Executive Council. "Transport decisions will be integrated in these broader planning exercises to ensure services and infrastructure are coordinated and strategically tailored to the current and future needs of the emirate," it added.

Transition

The council also said the centre is overseeing the transition to a new taxi scheme based on the franchising of taxi service provision to a number of locally qualified companies. This new system will replace the current practice of individuals owning and operating taxis, it added.

Currently, around 7,000 Emirati national taxi owners employ expatriate drivers to operate on their behalf on a commission salary basis.

"A process is currently underway with the aim of selecting seven franchisees that will manage and operate 1,200 taxis each. The selected franchisees are expected to be operational before the end of 2007," said the Executive Council.

It added that the National Bank of Abu Dhabi has been appointed to manage, invest and administer what is called the taxi owners' compensation fund, which would collect a monthly levy from operators to distribute among original, individual taxi owners.