From local metro network to global rail giant: Hong Kong’s MTR sets its sights firmly overseas
The company’s ever-expanding international footprint, in many cases working as an underground operator for a fee, stretches from London and Stockholm to Melbourne and Sydney
MTR Corp, Hong Kong’s largest transportation stock, says international expansion and opportunities arising from China’s flagship regional infrastructure-building “Belt and Road Initiative” now form the core of its business plan.
Over the past 20 years, the organisation has grown substantially through listing and merger, says chairman Frederick Ma Si-hang.
“International expansion is the major business development for the MTR, a route we only started down in the past decade,” he said.
“In that time we have successfully exported our services and established a strong international reputation. We should be proud of MTR, as it is among the few local home-grown brands that can be successfully exported around the world,” he said in an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post.
MTR currently has active projects in Britain and Sydney, but it’s along the Belt and Road – the modern day Silk Road land and sea trading routes – that offers abundant opportunities for its skills and experitse.
There are 65 countries involved in the economic blueprint created by China, and railway and road building projects are likely to dominate, as the modern-day trade routes are created.