KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has facilitated business deals worth RM542.6 million for 10 Malaysian companies participating in InnoTrans 2026, the world’s leading international trade fair for rail transport technology, held in Berlin, Germany, from Sept 22 to 25.
MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Indera Abu Bakar Yusof said the participation marked an important milestone in strengthening the internationalisation of Malaysian rail companies and integrating local capabilities into global manufacturing and supply chains.
“Our aspiration, however, goes beyond just engineering market access for Malaysian exporters. It is also aimed at creating and uplifting more homegrown SMEs to participate in the domestic supply chain, helping to strengthen the rail ecosystem,” he said.
Malaysian companies participating in the trade fair also established strategic connections with major German railway operators, including Deutsche Bahn AG, Germany’s national railway company.
The engagement resulted in Deutsche Bahn expressing interest in joining MATRADE’s Global Sourcing Programme (GSP), an initiative aimed at integrating major global companies into Malaysia’s supply chain.
Abu Bakar said MATRADE adopted a whole-of-government approach to promoting Malaysia’s capabilities by collaborating with key stakeholders in the rail industry, including the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation (MARIC), MRT Corporation Berhad (MRT Corp) and Invest Selangor Berhad.
During the four-day trade fair, the Malaysian companies participated in 208 business meetings and trade enquiries, securing 13 strategic agreements and collaborative arrangements.
Malaysia’s rail sector recorded RM1.3 billion in total trade in 2025, while exports of rail locomotive and rolling stock parts grew by 83.5 per cent.
Rail exports from January to August 2026 reached RM359.9 million, reflecting the country’s continued efforts to strengthen its regional presence and industrial capabilities.
