UK railway suppliers are invited to join the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Railway Industry Association’s (RIA) virtual trade mission to Australia. Participants will have the opportunity to meet virtually with key players within the Australian rail sector. 

The primary focus of this mission will be on suburban rail systems (metro and commuter) in the eastern seaboard growth states of New South Wales (Sydney), Queensland (Brisbane), and Victoria (Melbourne). DIT research of planned and announced projects estimates total CAPEX in the range of £100 billion. Underpinning these projects are opportunities stemming from a strong demand for innovation in rail systems: signalling, power and control, track; rolling stock OEM; design and integration; testing and commissioning. 

Australia has fared better than most countries from the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state Premiers have indicated their commitment to continue investing heavily in infrastructure to support Australia’s economic recovery and strong population growth. There is a strong project pipeline of upgrading and building new essential infrastructure, including £6 billion for the new Western Sydney Airport train line. 

Confirmed Australian stakeholders for this trade mission include Rail Projects Victoria, Melbourne Metro, Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, Queensland Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rail, and Austrade.

Format:
Week 1 – Briefing-sessions on projects, opportunities and market entry advice. Presentations from key Australian stakeholders highlighting their specific capability demands and what they are looking for in new suppliers. 

Week 2 – Virtual meetings between mission delegates and Australian stakeholders about future collaboration. Subject to acceptance of meeting requests.

Dates: 
22 March – 01 April 2021 
Cost: There will be a cost of £250 plus VAT per company for a DIT OMIS charge & RIA Management Fee.

Outline Programme
 
Please note: Because of the time difference in Australia (-11 hours GMT), programme activities will be held from 7 a.m. GMT onwards for approximately 2 to 3 hours daily.  They are not all day events, with exact timings and programme to be confirmed.

Week 1: 22 – 26 March (Open to registered UK delegates)

Monday 22 March 2021 
• Introductory roundtable by DIT and RIA to ‘set the stage’ for the mission.
• Presentations, followed by Q&A covering rail projects in Victoria

Tuesday, 23 March 2021 
• Presentations, followed by Q&A covering rail projects in New South Wales
• Guest presentation by Austrade

Wednesday, 24 March 2021 
• Presentations, followed by Q&A covering rail projects in Queensland
• Guest presentation by Australasia Rail Association

Thursday, 25 March 2021 
• Presentations, followed by Q&A with key manufacturers, contractors and consultants
• Wrap up roundtable by DIT and RIA

Week 2: 29 March – 01 April and beyond

UK companies will have the opportunity to arrange 1-2-1 meetings with Australian stakeholders from week 2 onwards using an online business matching platform, to discuss future collaboration and potential opportunities. These 1-2-1 meetings will be subject to acceptance by the Australian stakeholders. It will be the responsibility of the UK companies to increase their visibility on the platform by completing their profiles and making themselves available for the meetings during this part of the mission.

Registration Process: 

• Click on the sign in button to either create an account or sign into an existing account (top right-hand corn of this page in a blue border)
• Once you have created your account and signed in click register myself button and register yourself using this button (the information from your created account will be used here)
• Pay for the cost of the event using either a credit or debit card or select invoice me and RIA will send you an invoice.
• Then check out using the button at the bottom of the page (as if shopping online) and confirm registration
• You will receive an email confirming this afterwards.

 Note: One delegate per company.

• RIA/DIT will send an invitation to create a profile on the virtual platform that will be used to host the info-sessions and facilitate business matching
• Deadline to complete profile is 10 March 2021, at the latest
• Both UK companies and Australian stakeholders will be able to request 1-2-1 meetings.
• More details on the virtual platform will be shared upon registration