Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has identified a big potential in Vietnam’s railway industry for Malaysian companies and will be organising its signature export mission – Export Acceleration Mission (EAM) – to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 15 – 18 October 2018. The EAM aims to enhance Vietnamese business community awareness on Malaysian capabilities in the industry.

Organised with the support of Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation (MARIC), a total of nine Malaysian companies from various areas of expertise, namely Automated Fare Collection, Operation Control Center, Rolling Stock and Communication System, will be participating in this mission. During the mission, the companies will be meeting various government authorities, project owners, individual companies, consultants as well as trade association in both locations.

Among the authorities the participants will be meeting are Vietnam Railway Authority, Vietnam Railways, Ministry of Transport, Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Board, Transport Investment & Construction Consultant and Siemens Ltd and Airport Corporation of Vietnam, among many others.

According to Madam Yuslinawati Mohd Yusof, Director of Transport & Logistics Section at MATRADE, there is a rapid development in freight transport due population growth in Vietnam. “As the population in urban areas continues to increase, major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are attempting to ease the pressure on existing networks and reduce air pollution by building rail transit systems alongside traditional urban highway and road improvement initiatives. This gives Malaysian companies the opportunity to offer their expertise for the projects here,” she said.

The EAM will channel Malaysian rail companies’ interest in Vietnamese railway projects and highlight Malaysia’s total turnkey solution to the Vietnamese government and operators in the railway industry. “The EAM also aims to update potential partners in Vietnam the railway technologies by Malaysian companies,” Yuslinawati said.

This mission will also be championed by the private sector with anchor partner such as CMC Engineering Sdn Bhd who will be bidding for the HCM City and Hanoi Metro Lines project. MATRADE is working together with MARIC and CMC Engineering Sdn Bhd to promote the development of a consortium to provide a solution for the construction of HCM City and Hanoi Metro Lines.

In 2017, Malaysia’s exports of railway parts and components recorded an increase of 12 per cent to RM257.7 million compared to RM230 million in 2016. Most of the products were exported mainly to Panama, United States of America and Singapore. Imports decreased by 64.8 per cent to RM431.8 million compared to RM1.23 billion in 2016. Our major imports sources were mainly from China, Austria and Canada.