Emirates Driving Institute (EDI), “the largest and the most successful” driving cradle in Dubai and West Asia, is likely to open doors in the state capital later this year.

Chief operating officer of EDI Ali Al Zaabi, speaking at the Global Skill Summit at the Hotwar mega sports complex on Thursday, said they were keen on the venture.

“We are keen to train youths of the state in driving different types of vehicles and partner with the government in setting up an institute in Ranchi. At the moment, we are looking at inking a pact with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which will pave the way for setting up institutes in different parts of the country. We have held talks with the Jharkhand Skill Development Mission Society (JSDMS) too about the institute in Ranchi,” he said.

Zaabi went on to say that they were keen to harness the skills of Jharkhand’s youth.

“We have many people from Jharkhand working in the UAE and other Gulf countries. They are known for their hard work. Though modalities are being worked out, we are keen to open the centre here because there will be a huge requirement for drivers, nearly 60,000 in Dubai, for Expo 2020. We would like a significant number of drivers to avail this opportunity from India and Jharkhand. Though the opportunity (for Expo 2020) will be for a limited period, but there is always immense opportunity to be re-employed in Gulf countries,” he added.

Chief minister Raghubar Das, along with a high-level delegation, had visited EDI during the road show in Dubai in December last year. Discussions were reportedly held with EDI to explore synergies between the institute, operational since 1991, and training needs in Jharkhand.

Sources at JSDMS said state transport officials on Thursday held talks with the senior EDI official, and it had been agreed upon in principal to transfer land for the training institute in Ranchi after a formal pact.

A part of the renowned Belhasa Group, the EDI provides driver licence acquisition training using its fleet of over 1,000 vehicles in different categories like cars, light bus, heavy truck, shovel and forklift.

Around 500,000 students have acquired their licences from EDI till date. It has over 1,000 qualified male and female instructors of different nationalities who can train people in their primary language.