Rabat - Eng. Abdenbi Manar, Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and Mr. Mohamed Ali Bakri, Vice President of the International Air Transport Association for Africa and the Middle East, signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday, 22 April in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.
The MoU aims to enhance cooperation in the areas of policies and procedures related to air transport, civil aviation, ICAO international standards, infrastructure, capacity building and training.
Under the MoU, ACAO and IATA will exchange information, expertise, capabilities, and work jointly to promote six key aviation areas in the Middle East and North Africa region: safety and aviation, harmonization of government regulations and legislation, infrastructure, capacity building, training and environment, conventions and ICAO standards, aviation benefits and future trends in air transport.
"The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among Arab countries in the field of civil aviation," Eng Abdenbi Manar said, "The memorandum of understanding with IATA will strengthen cooperation between countries and the aviation industry, a key partnership to promote civil aviation and strengthen standards".
"22 countries in the Arab world will benefit from this important step undertaken with the International Air Transport Association (IATA)" stressed the Director General.
Mohammed Al Bakri, Regional Vice President, International Air Transport Association for Africa and the Middle East, said: "Aviation and associated tourism already support about 2.4 million jobs and contribute $ 130 billion to GDP in the Middle East and North Africa region. By 2037, with the expected doubling in terms of passengers, these figures could reach 4.3 million jobs and 345 billion dollars, respectively. However, the ability of aviation to achieve that growth depends on enhancing good safety standards in the region, achieving a coordinated regulatory environment, infrastructure improvements and capacity building. We must achieve this while ensuring environmental sustainability. Strong partnerships with governments will be a key element. The MoU will consolidate historical and strategic relationship with the Arab Civil Aviation Organization ".