OREANDA-NEWS. July 09, 2010. The conference involves representatives of more than 120 railway companies from around the world, international organizations, businesses, and the transport and scientific communities of more than 40 countries. UIC General Director Jean-Pierre Loubinoux said the conference is dedicated to the potential expansion of rail transport’s sphere of activities worldwide, finding optimal means of overcoming the global financial crisis, and to current impediments to the future development of international railway transportation, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

In his welcoming speech, Russian Railways First Vice-President Vadim Morozov said the main goals of the newly opened conference are mutually beneficial cooperation and continual constructive dialogue between the world’s railway companies.

Vadim Morozov said the company places great importance in cooperation with the International Union of Railways, and considers its involvement in this organization to be a strategic instrument for boosting the potential of Russian Railways and achieving its organic integration into the global transport system. On instruments for overcoming the economic crisis, the Russian Railways first vice-president noted the special role of the state in developing the infrastructure sector of the economy, which has been repeatedly confirmed by global experience.

"The implementation of infrastructure projects helps create tens of thousands of jobs, supports the real sector of the economy, links long-term state investments, and consequently neutralizes the risk of growing inflation, while forming a real foundation for modernizing the economy and improving its competitively", Vadmir Morozov said. Discussing the potential for international partners opened up by the Strategic Development of Rail Transport in the Russian Federation up to 2030 and the greater integration of Russian Railways into the world transport system, the company’s first vice-president noted the broader use of the transit potential and unique geographic location of Russia as a trans-continental land bridge in Eurasia, providing effective international transport communications; access to the Russian rail network’s integrated, high-quality transport services; and also promising joint business projects in the sphere of rail transport.

In conclusion, Vadim Morozov noted the role of strategic rail transport development in overcoming the economic crisis, and said that as well as operating in rail transport’s traditional market segments, innovative transport products and services must be promoted amid the crisis, new markets must be reached, and promising business areas must be developed. "Russian Railways therefore aims to develop various areas of its logistics business. Issues relating to the provision of contract logistics services are being considered.