Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Majid Al-Futtaim (MAF) Group recently renewed their partnership for the naming rights of Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre Metro Stations. The renewal is a clear testament of the benefits reaped by both parties over 10 years of a fruitful partnership.

Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency was delighted with the extension of the partnership agreement following a decade of success since the naming of Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre after the Metro Stations.

“RTA is always keen on striking successful partnerships with the private sector as it plays a vital role in stimulating national economic growth. Such a successful public-private partnership (PPP) facilitates the sharing of knowledge and expertise, generates employment prospects in a variety of fields, and paves the way for the private sector to support the government drive in this regard.

The partnership between RTA and MAF Group has been instrumental in increasing the number of metro riders as well as visitors of Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Deira Stations on the Red Line of Dubai Metro.

“RTA had reached advanced stages in renewing agreements for naming rights of metro stations with existing partners and is keen on the continuity of this initiative. More announcements about extensions as well as new agreements will be unveiled in future,” concluded the CEO of Rail Agency.

Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director for Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman) said: "At Majid Al Futtaim, we believe that effective public private partnerships are vital to our success as they underpin long-term relationships with our stakeholders. Our collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is a representation of a successful partnership that has enabled us to engage with, and benefit, the people of Dubai directly. We are honoured to have Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre metro stations named after our respective malls. Over the past ten years, the metro stations have helped stitch each mall into the fabric of Dubai, being major access points for residents, shoppers and tourists alike. We are delighted to renew Majid Al Futtaim's partnership with RTA and in doing so, renew our commitment to creating great moments for everyone, every day.

It is noteworthy that RTA launched the metro naming rights initiative in 2009 and was the first of its kind worldwide. Since then, the initiative  resulted in stunning successes for partners. Thanks to the initiative, several brands have become extremely popular such as Mall of the Emirates and City Centre, Deira.