UK and UAE strengthen trade and transportation ties

Both countries have signed an agreement to develop mutual cooperation in the field of transportation and encourage trade and growth.

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DUBAI // The UK Department for Transport and the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport yesterday signed an agreement to develop and intensify mutual cooperation in the field of transport, including road safety, parking and freight.

"The signing will improve the transport networks and prosperity of both countries," said Simon Burns, the UK minister of state for transport. "This will strengthen cooperation across a wide range of transport issues and help promote best practices." According to the British embassy, the British transport body hosted an Abu Dhabi delegation last week in a bid to learn from the UK's experience in road safety education and enforcement.

The agreement also encourages greater business-to-business engagement between the two countries and acts as a generator for trade and growth.

The chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Abdulla Rashed Al Otaiba, said: "I believe it represents an opportunity for the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport to further engage with British expertise for transportation planning and development. High design standards and developments in transportation safety and research are key objectives for the Department of Transport."

Key areas for future cooperation include exchanging information and experience on road and mass urban transit planning, design, construction and maintenance standards; sharing publicised experience about road and mass urban transit safety, including the UK's award-winning "Think!" road safety campaign; and sharing knowledge and experience on matters including vehicle standards and their enforcement similar to the model used by the UK's Vehicle and Operators Standards Agency.