KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kingdom has significant experience with rail travel and has expressed interest to work with Malaysia on rail projects here, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Transport Minister said this after receiving a courtesy call from the UK Prime Minister's trade envoy Richard Graham at his Putrajaya office on Wednesday (May 25).
"I last met Richard in December last year when my Ministry was in London lobbying to re-secure our council seat during the International Maritime Organization assembly.
"He lauded the achievements made with rail, maritime, and aviation infrastructure projects led by the Ministry," he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Dr Wee said he explained to the UK delegation that Malaysia was on track towards economic recovery with the reopening of borders on April 1, in line with the transition to an endemic phase of Covid-19.
"I took the chance to share the high points of our National Rail Centre of Excellence (NRCOE) aimed at developing specialists and experts for our rail industry toward a higher level.
"United Kingdom, with their deep experience in the rail industry, has also expressed their interest to work with Malaysia on projects like the MRT, HSR, RTS Link and the ECRL," he said, adding that both of them believe that the transport industry needs continuous development to keep up with rapid advances in technology.
Dr Wee said he also spoke about Malaysia's commitment to green technology and sustainability in transportation and logistics.
"Women in transport was also a talking point as there needs to be a more equal playing field and more opportunities afforded to women to take part in land, rail, air and sea sectors.
The UK delegation included the High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay, international trade deputy director Clifford Bebb, and UK export finance country manager Valentino Dass.
Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak and land division undersecretary Wan Mohd Asraf Wan Salleh had also attended the meeting.