Germany plans to invest 264.5 billion euros by 2030 to improve its infrastructure. Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Alexander Dobrindt, presented the first draft of the new Infrastructure Plan (Bundesverkeherwegeplan – BVWP 2030), which envisages a series of investments in roads, railways and waterways. The Plan includes nearly 1,000 interventions of which 49.4 percent will be in the road sector, 41.3 percent railways and 9.3 percent waterways. After a six-week public consultation, the Plan should go to the cabinet and then to a vote in Parliament in the autumn.
UAE: UBI Banca opens in Dubai
Italy’s UBI Banca has opened its representative office in Dubai in the Emirate’s prestigious tax-free financial area, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). On the day of the inauguration, UBI Banca signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Etihad Energy Service Company (Etihad ESCO) for cooperation projects linked to Dubai’s energy efficiency plan. According to this framework agreement UBI Banca will promote among its corporate clients the “retrofitting” programme managed by Etihad ESCO. The latter will consider using Italian technologies and innovative solutions for its next energy efficiency projects, while UBI Banca will also be ready to provide financial support to Italian companies doing business with Etihad ESCO.