The Czech railway industry, represented by the Association of Railway Industry Companies (ACRI), is making significant progress in expanding its presence in the Middle East, specifically targeting markets in Israel and Qatar. This expansion will strengthen Czech exports to the region.
In Israel, a country investing significantly in public transport infrastructure, there is a growing interest in Czech railway solutions. Notable successes include AŽD PRAHA's pilot project for turnout diagnostics technology and ŠKODA GROUP's participation in tram tenders. The focus on cyber security and innovation, evident in meetings with Israel's CYBER 7 and other key entities, further underlines the growing technological partnership.
Qatar offers another avenue for growth for Czech industry, particularly in green transport technologies. Discussions with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and the Czech-Qatar Committee of the Czech Chamber of Commerce highlighted opportunities in electric public transport systems and AI-driven solutions. The Qatari market, known for its welcoming investment climate and world-class infrastructure, offers significant potential for Czech railway companies.
"At the same time, Qatar is transitioning to a public transport system powered by electricity. There is a strong focus on testing autonomous vehicles and the use of artificial intelligence. This area is also of interest to our members and has been the subject of discussions with representatives of the Ministry of Transport," said Marie Vopálenská, ACRI CEO.
ACRI's international success is not limited to the Middle East. With companies exporting 60% of their production, ACRI is establishing a global presence. The export of railway industry products has become a key driver of Czech industrial production, as evidenced by recent reports from the Czech Statistical Office.
