Among some of the major topics discussed this year was the issue of bridging the existing gaps across the Mediterranean countries. Bridging the gaps will lead to a more effective transport infrastructure. So far the debate has focused on the prospects for transport and the logistics sector in the context of a more integrated union for the Mediterranean, as well as an overview of market conditions from a regional perspective.
In addition to the Spanish authorities and representatives, the event was attended by the Egyptian and Moroccan Ministers of Transport.

UIC, represented by Bernard Schmitt, Senior Freight Advisor, participated in the conference entitled: “The railway in the Mediterranean, a booming sector”

Chaired by the General Secretary of FERRMED Mr Joan Amoros, the speakers Mr Benmaarouf of SNTR Group, Algeria, Mr El Amraoui Azzedine, Freight and Logistics Director at ONCF, and Bernard Schmitt, addressed issues such as:

• The integration of the railway into the Euro-Mediterranean transport plan.
• How to successfully integrate multi-modal infrastructure: key factors of successful implementation, regulation and legislation.
• Will rail ever compete with other modes of transport? Future project planning and
  execution constraints, pricing and future funding models, managing environmental
  constraints on infrastructure developments.

The 3rd UIC Global Rail Freight Conference (GRFC) – organised jointly with ONCF – which will take place on 17 and 18 October in Tangier, Morocco, was presented at the end of the forum as one of the major forthcoming events.