Transport

Etant donné le poids du trafic maritime commercial dans l’économie gabonaise, toute une série de projets visant à renforcer la capacité opérationnelle des ports existants de la république est actuellement en cours. La construction de nouvelles infrastructures à l’intérieur du pays figure également au programme et devrait permettre de mieux répondre aux besoins d’une industrie extractive dont la production est à la hausse.

Sarawak is investing heavily in improved transport links as energy and investment projects crucial to national development get into gear. However, plans for a statewide railway connection have stalled over viability concerns.

Istanbul’s public transport system is set to be radically overhauled by the addition of an underwater transit tunnel, new train stations and a possible third bridge over the Bosphorus. The most recent development in Turkey’s transport section has been the completion of the undersea section of the Bosphorus tunnel – or “Marmaray” – project.

Home to the region’s second-largest airline and with a new airport due to open shortly, Qatar is setting its sights on becoming an international leader in air transport. Qatar Airways now serves more than 100 destinations worldwide and is becoming a key player in linking the Middle East to Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond.

The New Year has started out on a turbulent note for Sabah’s air transportation sector, with some fearing that recent developments may spell hard times ahead for investment in the state and its tourism sector. Yet a possible partnership with neighbouring Brunei Darussalam’s national carrier may hold a solution to Sabah’s air travel troubles.

Already a key conduit for both European and Asian trans-shipment activity, Egypt is working to gain a greater slice of lucrative regional trade as more land-based freighters look to the country as an alternative entry point to Gulf and African markets.