RATP Dev, a subsidiary of French state-owned public transport operator RATP Group, has signed a partnership with Zain Capital LLC, part of the Lakhraim Business Group to set up a joint venture targeting some of the largest transport and urban planning projects in the UAE.

A world leader in passenger transport, operating the Paris metro, tram and bus system, RATP Group is well positioned to provide the UAE with new transport systems that provide leading international standards, said the company in a statement.

RATP Group can devise, design and implement infrastructure development projects, operate and maintain networks irrespective of the transport mode (metro, regional train, tramway and bus) and develop innovative services to promote mobility such as passenger information, electronic ticketing, pricing and customer marketing.

With a common vision to support efforts in improving the transport network across the country, the partnership will begin with a bid to the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DOT) to operate the bus networks of the UAE capital and Al Ain, it stated.

It will then follow it up with a bid for the multi-billion dirham metro and light railway/tramline project, which will be one of the largest construction enterprises in the emirate.

In addition, RATP Dev is already in discussions with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to enhance the bus systems in Dubai.

François-Xavier Perin, the chief exective of RATP Dev, said: "We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Zain Capital LLC and the Lakhraim Business Group. Its deep knowledge of the local market and excellent credentials will ensure we strengthen our presence in the region and provide world-class services to the residents of the UAE."

On the partnership, Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, the chairman of Lakhraim Business Group, said: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with one of the largest public transport providers in the world."

"The transport sector in the UAE has witnessed major growth and development over the last few years and through this partnership, we aim to make our contribution in the sector by combining our considerable expertise and resources. This is the first step in a long-standing and successful relationship," he added

RATP Dev was established in 2002 to export the group’s operations and maintenance know-how outside the historical network operated by RATP in the Paris region.

With twelve million passengers every day worldwide, RATP Group is the fifth largest urban transport operator in the world.

The multimodal network operated by RATP in the Paris region, with its 14 metro lines (including two driverless lines), two regional express network (RER) lines, five tramway lines, 350 bus lines and shuttle services catering to the region's two international airports, is the largest of its kind in the world to be managed by a single company.

It has a global presence in twelve countries on four continents - United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, US, Brazil, India, China and South Korea - and aims at revenue close to €1 billion ($1.09 billion) in 2014.

RATP Group has a workforce of nearly 60,000 worldwide and in 2013 generated revenue of €5.14 billion ($5.6 billion).-TradeArabia News Service