Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has roped in top real estate investment and advisory firm JLL for the leasing and on-going management of the retail locations at the Red and Green line metro stations.

Commenting on the deal, Andrew Williamson, the head of retail at JLL, said: "Our intent is to deliver an inviting community retail environment which cements the metro stations as local hubs. We are very glad to have built a valued relationship with the RTA over the last eight years and have witnessed the Red and Green lines evolve into the transport lifeline of Dubai."

"The commitment of the RTA to deliver a world class public transportation environment is evident and JLL are delighted to be trusted to deliver leasing and management services to the retail locations," he added.

Williamson pointed out that JLL had experience across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region in managing more than 200 retail developments.

"We remain very sensitive to the local culture and customs in each and every one of the countries we are appointed. Importantly, our approach uses a mix of local and international expertise to combine the best of both worlds and provide the perfect fit for our clients’ needs," he added.

RTA’s rail agency chief Abdulla Yousef Al Ali said the Metro Retail outlets present a unique business opportunity to companies to offer their goods and services to passengers while enhancing brand visibility to the ever increasing number of Metro users.

In 2013, the Dubai Metro had an annual ridership of nearly 138 million passengers, with an average 450,000 passengers travelling daily. The stations are built and maintained to a high standard with retail units which offer a unique trade opportunity and heightened brand visibility.

“We are confident that by appointing JLL to lease and manage these spaces the quality of brands we attract for our customers, and the quality of service delivered to our tenants will be enhanced” he stated.-TradeArabia News Service