The recently concluded Roads, Bridges, Tunnels MENA Conference (RBT) featured a stellar lineup of experts and key industry players from across the region. The two-day event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, discussing the rapid advancements in infrastructure projects driving economic growth and connectivity in the MENA region.
There were welcome remarks from Jorge Frances, Project Manager, KEO Infrastructure, UAE, setting the tone for thought-provoking discussions focused on asset preservation, mega projects, and sustainable construction. Eng. Khamis Alshehyari from the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure led the first session, presenting innovative strategies for the maintenance and management of interchange bridges, a critical topic as regional governments invest heavily in extending the lifespan of essential infrastructure.
Yasser Mosallamy, Head of Engineering at Arcadis, Egypt, followed with an overview of two landmark projects: the New Istanbul Airport and Egypt’s monorail system. His insights into the complexity and scale of these projects highlighted the growing role of mega infrastructures in transforming urban mobility.
Avinash Rao from Ha-Be India delivered an informative presentation on tunnel and underground construction, delving into the latest technologies being employed to ensure safety and efficiency in subterranean projects.
Successful strategies
The session on project supervision was led by Sameer Daoud, Managing Director at KEO Infrastructure, Saudi Arabia, who showcased successful strategies employed in three major UAE infrastructure projects: Al Khawaneej, Armadhi, and Mushraif.
A lively networking break ensued, where attendees engaged in productive discussions while touring the exhibition area. VIP guests and industry professionals explored cutting-edge technologies and solutions exhibited by leading companies in the infrastructure sector.
One of the day’s highlights was a panel discussion moderated by Abraham Akkawi, Independent PPP Advisor from Oman, exploring the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in facilitating investment in infrastructure projects.
The session brought together experts, including Ahmed Alhammadi from the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure and Jihad Saadou Rabah from Alvarez & Marsal, to debate the future of PPPs and their potential to drive road, bridge, and tunnel projects in the region.
Groundbreaking solutions
Later in the day, industry innovators shared groundbreaking solutions for construction. Francesco De Martino, CEO, Pilosio Building Materials, and Jason English, CEO, Al Laith Group, presented a case study on how Flydeck’s suspended scaffolding transformed the Guggenheim Project, demonstrating the pivotal role of technology in enhancing project efficiency.
Concluding Day 1 was an insightful panel on the challenges and opportunities of bridge maintenance, featuring notable speakers such as Bandar Bin Habib Al-Anazi from Riyadh Region Municipality and Hisham Nada from Khatib Alami.
