The UfMS participates in the 9th Mediterranean Logistics and Transport Forum
Barcelona – The 9th Mediterranean Logistics and Transport Forum, organized by ASCAME, EIB, Barcelona Port and Invest in Med among many other institutions, was held within the framework of 13th Edition of SIL Exhibition, on 7th June 2011 in Barcelona. The Secretariat was represented by Deputy Secretary General for Transport and Urban Development Ambassador Yigit Alpogan and Ms. Zeynep Kaleli; both addressed the Forum touching upon different aspects of Logistics in the transport field.
The opening session focused on the prospects for the transport and logistics sector in the Mediterranean. Deputy Alpogan highlighted that over the next few decades there will be greater demand on mobility, transport and logistics, as a direct consequence of the increasing in trade, economic and social development in the Mediterranean Region “the question of funding major infra-structure projects poses itself dominantly”. Ambassador Alpogan stressed the necessity for additional private sector participation in the transport and logistics infrastructure projects besides the commitments of the International Finance Institutions and the European Union. He also stated that development of motorways of the sea, including the connection of ports, creation of coastal motorways and modernization of the trans-Maghreb rail link were declared as priorities of the Union for the Mediterranean. “When working with projects, the Secretariat’s objective is to deliver a tailor-made support and assistance to project promoters according to their priorities and strategic needs. We aim to facilitate the mobilization of resources and political support, provide coordination to save costs and time, and finally to enhance investment security”, Yigit Alpogan added.
During the sessions on the Mediterranean railway sector and other investment models for transport and logistics sector, southern (Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco) and northern Mediterranean countries (Italy and Spain), shared their experiences in terms of investments and services in various sectors. During this session there was also a presentation on the Mediterranean Orbital Railway Network Study by FERRMED, a project proposal presented to the Secretariat for UfM labelling.
Last session, organized by the EIB, was the launching of LOGISMED Network. During this session the added-value of labelling of this initiative as a UfM project was highlighted many times by the participants.
Download speech by the Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alpogan
