Midlands Track 2025: Virtual Meet the Buyer Private and Public sector rail export opportunities in Europe, LATAC and Sub-Saharan Africa.

26 February 2025 | 14:00 to 15:30 | Online
 
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in association with the Rail Forum, is excited to be hosting a series of webinars, missions and business development sessions aimed at unpacking private and public sector rail projects across HMTC regions, led by Africa, to match with the industry supply chain based in the Midlands.
We are pleased to announce the second webinar in our virtual series is taking place on 26 February 2025 from 14:00 to 15:30.
Don’t miss this chance to hear about the latest private and public sector rail project developments and opportunities available to your business from across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Central Asia.

What’s the opportunity in Türkiye?

As per January 2025, Türkiye’s rail network accounts for less than 5% of freight transport and 1.3% of passenger transport. Despite over EUR 16 Bn invested into the rail infrastructure over the past 18 years, Türkiye still falls behind the EU with regards rail network density and freight transport density. Opportunities for improvement include only 10% of the existing network being high speed rail, with only 43% of the network electrified and 50% signalised.

According to 2053 Transport Master Plan, the government has estimated a further investment of USD 47 billion over the next decade into expanding and improving the rail network.

The goals of the 2053 Transport Master Plan include: to become a global leader in offering fair access to transport and logistics services, and to increase the quality such services, to ensure efficiency and productivity in transport and logistics, to ensure sustainable mobility with smart transportation systems in transport and logistics, to ensure environmental awareness and increase energy efficiency in transport and logistics, to increase safety in transport and logistics and ensure community welfare.
 

What’s the opportunity in South Africa?

Since the 1988 deregulation of roads, the rail sector has seen a steady decline in South Africa. Instead of aiming to restore the previous high of 500 million passengers, South Africa’s government wants to double this to 1 billion passengers per year, creating a Rail Renaissance as detailed in this white paper on the National Rail Policy, published in 2022 by the Minister of Transport, Mr Mbalula. The intended investment will be directed towards:

• Heavy Haul
• Heavy intermodal incl. double stacked containers
• Contemporary Urban and regional rapid transit
• HSR 160-200km/h and up to 300km/h

Emphasis has been placed on rural access, increased mobility, job creation and support to the agricultural, agro-processing and mining sectors.

The current infrastructure includes 2200km of track, with rail accounting for <20% Freight and <10% passenger transport. By 2050, through increased investment and also Private Sector Participation, South Africa plans to position rail the backbone of their transport system and sustainably revitalise the sector in a way that offers cost effective travel and freight transport.
 

What to expect

• Presentations on the featured markets from regional stakeholders, DBT Sector Advisers and Procurement Specialists.
• The opportunity to virtually meet representatives from Thelo Africa who will provide insights into the work they deliver across Sub-Saharan Africa, the partners they collaborate with and forthcoming opportunities.
• The latest developments on the construction of a UK government backed Kayseri-Yerköy high-speed railway line in Turkiye You will meet the contractor and supply chain procurement lead.

Watch out for more speaker updates over the coming months, together with details of additional international projects we will share during the session.

Who is this opportunity for? 

• This webinar is targeted at companies based within the Midlands who are export ready with a High Export Potential (HEP). HEP businesses are defined as: 
• Having experience or interest in either emerging markets, or interest in Africa. 
• Having a clearly defined export plan linked to the targeted market and/or as part of the support process from DBT (Midlands); (Optional)
• Having a product or service suitable for export.
• Having a turnover of £500,000 or more per annum. 

 
Express your interest:
Be sure to express your interest in joining us today by registering your details.
 

How to register

Register your interest today by following the link below.

Register

For any other export related enquiries contact the Department for Business and Trade in the Midlands at: dbtmidlands@businessandtrade.gov.uk or call 0300 303 8955

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