MASSIVE opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region’s rail sector will be showcased for contractors, consultants and suppliers at the 10th Meed Mena Rail and Metro Conference to be held this month (October 20 to 22) at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai, UAE.

Top panellists taking part in key discussions at the event will underline that the lack of interoperability is one of the largest challenges planners of Middle East railway projects face.

Vasile Nicolae Olievschi, railway adviser, National Transport Authority (NTA) of the UAE, will participate in the regulation and standardisation panel session. Others on the panel include Philippe Citroen, director general of the Association of the European Rail Industry and Chris Dulake, chief engineer of Crossrail of the UK.

Rail investments worth $200 billion are planned in the Middle East and North Africa according to Meed Projects.