The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) has been making efforts to boost the UK rail supply and exports sector at the Middle East Rail Expo which took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, earlier this month.
Rail and HS2 minister Huw Merriman also attended the event with over 30 UK rail business exhibiting at the UK Pavilion.
The UK Pavilion was developed in partnership between the UK Railway Industry Association (RIA) and the DBT
In addition to giving an address at the show, Mr Merriman visited and talked to exhibitors in the UK Pavilion. He also engaged with UAE and other Middle East rail stakeholders as the UK seek to boost export opportunities with the region and build on the UK’s enviable global reputation for supply chain exporting.
Mr Merriman said: “It was a pleasure to attend the recent Middle East Rail expo and meet many of the innovative UK supply chain businesses using rail to help boost trade and jobs.
“Collaboration with the rail industry across the globe is vital in identifying new export opportunities and sharing expertise to build a better, stronger railway here at home.”
Darren Caplan, RIA chief executive, said: “Rail exports from the UK are immensely valuable, totalling some £600-800m, helping boost trade and jobs, and supporting UK businesses of all shapes and sizes.
“Having high-level backing from the UK Government can only help UK rail exports grow even more, at a time when we are striving to help build a “Global Britain”. So we are grateful to Rail & HS2 Minister Huw Merriman for supporting UK rail exporters on this work in the Middle East, a region with much railway potential. And we will continue to work closely together to realise rail’s full potential in the future, not just in rail markets at home but abroad too.”
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