José Luis Ábalos supports internationalisation of Spanish railway sector at InnoTrans trade fair

The minister was accompanied by the Chairwoman of ADIF, Isabel Pardo de Vera and the Chairman of Renfe, Isaías Táboas. Both state-owned companies contribute to the international projection of railway infrastructures in our country and their corresponding international recognition.

In his speech at the Mafex stand (Spanish Railway Association), the minister addressed its members to underscore the strong commitment to railways in Spain and highlighted that our country has the longest high-speed railway network in the world, behind only China, with more than 3,300 kilometres in service.

José Luis Ábalos stated that "the Spanish market is a benchmark in the railway sector and in terms of innovation around the world", and recalled the significant increase in investment in tenders put out over recent months. He also stressed that "we have 3 billion euros pending for putting out to tender for new rolling stock". "There are major investments to be made soon to cater for increasing demand in sector improvements", asserted the minister.

He also stressed that his department's main interest is investment in safety and remarked that his "greatest concern is for mobility to incorporate safety as an intrinsic element, as a right, rather than as a complementary element". He also reiterated that the main demand of the railway sector by the public is for travel times "to be reduced, trains to be more comfortable and, above all, safer".

InnoTrans, which has bedded down its position as the international showcase for this industrial sector, has more than 2,890 exhibitors from 60 countries at this year's edition.

There is significant Spanish participation at this trade fair with a broad representation of sector companies and organisations, including Mafex (Spanish Railway Association), Ineco, Cetren, CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), Talgo and Indra, among many others, as well as multinational companies with a strong presence in Spain, such as Siemens, Alstom, Bombardier, Vossloh and ArcelorMittal.

Non official translation