MAFEX’s trade delegation to Vietnam and Thailand

Source: Spanishrailways News

The Spanish Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Equipment and Services for the Railway Industry (MAFEX), in collaboration with the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX), coordinated a trade delegation to Vietnam and Thailand in March 21-28.

30/03/2012) Spanish representatives met with representatives from transport authorities in each country, as well as with companies of the sector to search for cooperation possibilities. The Spanish rail sector showed its interest in being part of future transport plans in Thailand and Vietnam for the upgrade of the existing infrastructures and the improvement in urban mobility.

Thailand

Thailand at present has ongoing upgrade plans of its rail networks with modernization works and such new projects as the construction of five new high-speed lines, according to the Spanish Trade Office in the country. The total distance of the new rail infrastructure would be 767 km, with an investment of 1,572.2 million euros.

MAFEX’s trade delegation aims to provide opportunities for the participation of Spanish companies in the new projects and their consolidation in the Thai market, where some companies are already operating: Amurrio Ferrocarril y Equipos, Eahsa Smart Grid, Ikusi-Ángel Iglesias, Manusa Door Systems, Patentes Talgo and Telvent.

Vietnam

New rail connecting projects are also being considered for Vietnam. To be highlighted is the line that would link the country with Cambodia and China, a key rail line for the international trade of goods, which would result in great economic benefits for Cambodia, particularly in the development of agriculture and mineral resources, as the Prime Minister Han San has recently indicated.

The country also has the support of the Asian Development Bank for the remodeling project of the existing railway lines, which includes the 254 km connecting the capital city with Sihanoukville, and the 388 km line between Phnom Penh and Thailand’s border. Spanish companies such as Getinsa Ingeniería and Manusa Door Systems are already present in Vietnam.