EVENT BACKGROUND

Today we focus on Southeast Asia, an area of huge activity, growth and innovation within the rail and metro sector. The ASEAN region, consisting of ten countries with a combined population of approximately 625 million people (8.8% of the world's total) and a combined GDP of an estimated US$2.6 trillion is an area of huge growth. But with this expansion also comes increasing pressure on existing infrastructure, natural resources, population levels and the environment. As a result ASEAN rail projects, metro developments and planning changes are being rolled out across the region.

Thailand’s rail transport sector is set to expand over the next decade, with construction on a new high-speed railway line to begin as early as next year while upgrades to the country’s mass rapid transit system are already under way. These projects are set to improve domestic and regional connectivity, and boost economic growth. The projects are part of the government’s programme to spend nearly 1.8 trillion baht (US$50.8 billion) on 20 major infrastructure projects by 2022. Once under way, the new projects are predicted to boost Thailand’s economic growth rate by one percentage point, with knock-on benefits for the construction and tourism industries.

Southeast Asia is already a key market for rail industry suppliers. The long-term nature of rail developments in the region confirms that it will be of continuing international importance. Asia Rail Summit 2017 (ARS 2017), Asia’s leading rail conference scheduled for 25 – 26 May 2017 in Bangkok, will continue to serve as the leading platform for major industry players to establish winning Southeast Asia strategies. Under the theme of “Innovation, Technology & Strategy for Asia Pacific's Rail Industry”, we will address the most crucial issues which determine your performance objectives in Southeast Asia. ARS 2015 will help you to better analyze of Asia’s dynamic rail industry and further identify the strategic role of Southeast Asia in your global business plan.