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Dear colleagues,

On 6 to 8 September 2010, the International Association (Union) of Public Transport (UITP) will be holding its 1st Eurasian Congress and Exhibition in Moscow under the motto ‘Public Transport as a tool for economic growth of cities’. This project is carried out by UITP in partnership with the largest exhibition company in Eurasia, the International Exhibition Center “Crocus Expo” with the support of Moscow Metro and Mosgortrans, the largest public transport operators in Russia. We are pleased to inform you that the project has received support from the Chairman of the Transport Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the Minister of Transport of Russia.

The Congress and the Exhibition will give further evidence of the indisputable fact that in the 21st century public transport has become a major driving force of economic development. Public transport companies today are leading in terms of the number of employees, and may rightfully be regarded as the largest employers in cities. UITP studies carried out in different countries show that every 1 Ruble or Euro invested in public transport brings 4 Rubles (Euro) into the economy of the country. As a tool for economic growth, this sector becomes attractive for investors: the striking example of this is the construction of Myakinino metro station in Moscow on the site of Crocus City. For the first time in the history of public transport in Russia a station has been built entirely with private money. The design of the station has made it possible to integrate it into a car parking area being constructed at Crocus City for the convenience of visitors of this large trade and entertainment center.

The opening of this new Strogino-Mitino section of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line of Moscow Metro will practically fully resolve the issue of transportation service for Mitino, one of the most densely populated districts of Russia’s capital city. Well developed bus networks for urban and suburban services, ongoing extensions of metro lines in St Petersburg and Novosibirsk and extensions of the tram network in Yekaterinburg all show the great ambitions of the public transport sector in Eurasia.

The need for further development of public transport is obvious for all, therefore the congresses and exhibitions of this sector will be conducted in the Crocus Expo international exhibition center once every two years.

Our exhibition in Crocus Expo gives a unique chance for industries of Eurasia as well as other regions of the World to showcase their latest achievements and technologies for the potential buyers, public transport companies and city administrations. The UITP Eurasian Congress and Exhibition will provide public transport professionals with a platform for international exchange of experience and demonstration of best practices in tackling concrete problems and effectively promoting innovative solutions. Furthermore, Expo Forums will be organized on the site of the Eurasian Exhibition to allow the visitors to get more information on the showcased products and new technologies as well as to jointly discuss the most vital issues faced by public transport operators and industries of the Eurasian countries.

On behalf of the International Association (Union) of Public Transport we thank those who express interest in our Exhibition and Congress “Public Transport as a tool for economic growth of cities”. We are convinced that your participation in the Congress will inspire you toward daring solutions and will result, through a joint effort of all of us, in better public transport systems in the Eurasian region.

We look forward to meeting you in Moscow!

Hans Rat Secretary General		Dmitry Gaev Head of Moscow Metro, UITP Vice-President