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RAIL Asia 2021 gears up as the region prepares for growth The Eastern Economic Corridor will be the main theme at RAIL Asia 2021 scheduled for 25-26 November in Thailand
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uilding on its success as Asia’s only international rail exhibition and conference in 2020, RAIL Asia maintained its position as the region’s most important trade event in one of the world’s most important and expansive markets. Thailand accounts for 40 per cent of all rail investment in Southeast Asia. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand’s flagship economic zone, has attracted investment applications totalling more than US$39 billion, 59 per cent of all investment projects received by the BOI were
from projects in the EEC. Thailand’s gateway to Asia ranges across three eastern provinces, Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong. The EEC Development Plan is designed to help transform Thailand into a valuebased economy with extensive and efficient transport links to Asia through its US$32.93 billion infrastructure upgrade plan headlined by the High-Speed Rail Ribbon Sprawl (EECh) linking three main airports to include the new Eastern Airport City ‘Aerotropolis’ (EECa). RAIL Asia was hailed a great success in its previous edition by the government, hosts and supporting organsations as it defied global
challenges and staged the only international exhibition and conference for the rail industry in 2020. Hosted by the State Railway of Thailand and opened by the Ministry of Transport, RAIL Asia 2020 highlighted its importance and strength in the region with a successful eighth edition in Bangkok as the industry ‘reconnects’ and business rebounds. ‘For Talgo this is our first time at RAIL Expo and we’ve met a lot of new clients from the industry including top executives and government. This is the exhibition that gathers people from the rail sector, not only from Thailand but from throughout Southeast