Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the launch of the 12th Public Transport Day on November 1st under the theme: Together To Expo 2020 Dubai. The initiative aims to encourage Dubai residents and visitors to use public transport means in their daily travels, especially when visiting Expo 2020. Public transport means are the smooth and quick mobility option to go to Expo.  In line with RTA’s efforts to encourage the public to use mass transit means, nol Plus points will be increased to three folds during the duration of the campaign from 1 to 8 November 2021.

The Public Transport Day initiative, which coincides with the 16th RTA Anniversary, aims to promote Dubai’s efforts in improving the environment, achieving sustainable development, and encouraging riders to use public transport means through introducing them to the benefits of riding public transport means.

“In concurrence with the Public Transport Day, RTA is launching Art in Public Transport initiative in partnership with Dubai Culture. Through the initiative, we aim to support the cultural sector as it forms a key component of the UAE’s development drive. It enables innovators and educated people to contribute more initiatives and ideas that raise the profile of Dubai as a first-class cultural and innovative hub in the region and the world over,” said Rowdah Al Mehrizi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector, RTA.

“Community members can see the art gallery at several Dubai Metro stations namely Expo 2020, Dubai Mall, Jebel Ali, Dubai Investments Park, and Al Ghubaiba Metro stations. The initiative enables the public to see the latest artworks and innovative arts while using public transport means in Dubai,” she noted.

“In early October, RTA launched the Photography Contest in cooperation with Canon Middle East, and in conjunction with the Expo 2020, via social media platforms. The contest aimed to encourage the public to use public transport to and from Expo site. Winners will be honoured in 3 stages. The first will be during the Public Transport Day. Stages 2 and 3 will continue until the end of Expo next year.

“RTA will launch, a challenge to be run via social media sites such as Tik Tok and Instagram Reel. It involves swiping the nol Plus card virtually in a challenge aimed to encourage the public to use public transport and go to several parts of Dubai to share their journeys with others.

“Events of the Public Transport Day include a treasure hunt competition through RTA’s website to encourage the public to use public transport. The competition prompts the public to discover a hidden treasure in public transport stations. The search is focused on the Dubai Metro Red Line and stations near Expo 2020 site. 8 winners will be selected and each of them will be rewarded with up to two million nol Plus points to be added to their nol cards to be used later,” she added.

Al Mehrizi praised the sponsors of the Public Transport Day and their crucial role in making the event a success, namely Keolis-MHI (metro and tram operator), Canon Middle East, Noon, Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, and Fly Dubai.

Meanwhile, the Invest in Democratic Republic of Congo Forum was held recently at Suite 1 North, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai.

The Invest in DR Congo Forum 2021 welcomed hundreds of participants and top speakers at the Expo 2020, with the agenda to promote and address the investment friendly business environment of DR Congo.

IDRC 2021 Forum brought together ministers, government officials, public and private sector organizations, investors, policy experts & advisors who discussed significant areas of growth and key investment opportunities in DR Congo, such as topics of interest in establishing a conducive business environment, policy and regulatory updates, new laws of the country, new projects and opportunities for investors, training and skills development, and sectors development.

The Invest in Democratic Republic of Congo Forum commenced with a welcome note, followed by a keynote address on “The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Strategic Development Plan – A look into progress”, from Christian Mwando Nsimba Kabulo, Minister of State and Minister of Planning, Democratic Republic of Congo. “The African continent presents innumerable opportunities for investors because of its enormous untapped economic potential. It is also becoming one of the most sought-after investment destinations. In particular, the Democratic Republic of the Congo boasts some of the most abundant natural resources on the planet. With a strong economy, rich farmland and bountiful mineral wealth, the DRC is progressively building towards a brighter future. We’re proud to say that this event has encouraged people to do business in our country, encouraging a sustainable and innovative business culture within the Democratic Republic of Congo”, stated H.E. Christian Mwando Nsimba Kabulo.

Followed by the keynote from Theo Ngwabidje Kasi, Governor of Sud-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, addressed the topic, “Unleashing the True Potential of the DRC”. Theo Ngwabidje Kasi presented to the audience some of the projects seeking funding in his Province, in the mining, infrastructure, energy and industrial sectors

This keynote address was then followed by a short keynote from Anthony Nkinzo Kamole, Managing Director of the National Investments Promotion Agency (ANAPI), Democratic Republic of Congo, who addressed the topic, “Governing Foreign Direct Investment: Regulatory Incentives”.  

Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, stated his country is constantly seeking opportunities and investors from across the globe to come in and invest in the country. And ANAPI, the country’s Investment Promotion Agency, facilitates foreign investments by simplifying the investment process, improving transparency, assisting new foreign investors, as well as improving the image of the DRC as an investment destination.

After experiencing its first recession in 18 years in 2020 due to the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the DRC’s economic outlook for 2021 and 2022 is favorable if the pandemic is brought under control and as global demand recovers. Real GDP is expected to grow by 3.3 percent in 2021 and 4.5 percent in 2022, thanks in particular to higher prices for the main mining products and a recovery in consumption and investment, as well as major projects in the agriculture, infrastructure and ICT sectors. In addition, the continued efforts to rationalize public finances that the Government has initiated should make it possible to reduce inflation to an average of 11.7% over the period 2021-2022.

The event also featured a roundtable discussion on “The DRC Experience” with Congolese entrepreneurs, Yves Kabongo, Managing Director of KGB Capital, and Eric Monga, Managing Director of KIPAY Energy, who came to share their field experience in doing business in the country.

Following the panel discussion, topics such as, “Exchange of economic expertise towards investment readiness & competitive economies”, “Mainstreaming ESG Initiatives”, “DRC Digitalization Perspectives”, “Economic diversification and access to credit information as one of the main achievements in propelling investments in the region”, and “Peojetc Talk- DRC Electricity Sector” were addressed respectively by Omar Khan, Director, International Offices, Dubai Chamber; Balaji Nagabhushan, Group Chief Administrative Officer, Tristar; Dominique Migisha, Special Advisor on Digital to the Head of State, Democratic Republic of Congo; Miguel Azevedo, Head of Investment Banking for the Middle East and Africa, Citigroup; Jean-Bosco Kayombo, Administrator and Managing Director of National Electricity Company SNEL, Democratic Republic of Congo. Staff