KUCHING: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd recently participated as an exhibitor at InnoTrans 2024, which is widely considered as the world's largest trade fair focused on the rail transport industry.

InnoTrans 2024, which was held on 24-27 September, is organised every two years at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre, in Berlin, Germany.

Sarawak Metro’s participation at InnoTrans 2024, was at the invitation of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), as part of MATRADE’s trade delegation of exhibitors under its ‘Astaka Malaysia’ or Malaysian Pavilion.

This was also the first time that MATRADE had held such an event for the Malaysian rail transport industry at InnoTrans, and this maiden effort was through its collaboration with Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation (MARIC), of which Sarawak Metro is a member.

According to Sarawak Metro Chief Executive Officer Ts. Mazli Mustaffa, the inclusion of Sarawak Metro as an exhibitor at InnoTrans was a highly significant achievement for the organisation.

“It is indeed a source of pride for us, especially as a Sarawakian company, to take part in this prestigious event, where major industry players from throughout the world are gathered every two years.

“This rare and valuable opportunity, which we were honoured to receive from MATRADE and MARIC, allowed us not only to share the story of Sarawak’s public transport transformation but also created other opportunities, where we were able to talk about potential advisory and consultancy services for other operators in cities with public transport needs similar to Kuching’s,” said Mazli.

The organisers have acknowledged this year’s event as “the largest and most international InnoTrans since it was founded in 1996.”

Some of the milestones for this year’s InnoTrans included 2,940 exhibitors from 59 countries as well as record high of around 170,000 visitors from 133 countries.

In total, 42 exhibition halls were filled along with 133 vehicles and exhibits on the Outdoor Display and track area as well as 11 buses in the Bus Display.

This year’s event also witnessed 226 world debuts and more than 1,200 guests from all over the world at the official Opening Ceremony of InnoTrans 2024.-UKASnews