For the sixteenth time, Gdańsk has become the center of the European rail industry thanks to the TRAKOInternational Railway Fair. It is the largest trade fair in Europe this year. This year's edition is record-breaking, with 695 exhibitors from 29 countries participating. "I can promise you that rail will be an absolute priority for the government," said Donald Tusk, Prime Minister.
"This year and the next two will be record-breaking for the railways. We know that next year, Polish railways will transport more people than there are inhabitants of the European Union. This shows how the railways are developing in our country," added the Polish Prime Minister.
The Opening Ceremony took place in the new hall of the Gdańsk International Fair. As Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President of the Gdańsk International Fair, Andrzej Bojanowski, unanimously stated from the podium: "In Gdańsk, we do things, we don't talk." This applied not only TRAKObut also to the new facility in the AMBEREXPOcomplex. It was built in nine months, allowing the Prime Minister to open the largest industry event in Europe this year from the new hall.
In addition to the Prime Minister, the Opening Ceremony was graced by the presence of, among others, Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun, Mayor of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Deputy Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Leszek Bonna, and President of the fair's co-organizers, Alan Beroud of the Polish State Railways. The Ambassadors of Spain and Peru were also present.
"I'm glad that in Gdańsk we can talk about rail not in the context of whether something can be done, but how to do it. I'm also glad that rail is a very important issue in our region. After all, it was here that a new railway line was built 10 years ago, creating the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway. Now we're in the process of building another line. There's no better place than the city of Gdańsk and the Gdańsk International Fair to talk about rail," said the mayor of Gdańsk.
Following the Opening Ceremony, an opening debate took place, titled "Competitiveness and Financing of Railways in the European Union." Experts and decision-makers discussed, among other things, the potential of European railways for decarbonizing the economy and implementing key EU policies. The second day's program also included numerous conferences and debates, including "High Speed Railway Poland 2025," devoted to the development of high-speed rail, and the panel "How Can Artificial Intelligence and Digitization Improve Railway Operational Efficiency?", which attracted a wide audience of specialists interested in modern technologies in rail transport.
Topics covered during the event also include the challenges of implementing digital interfaces in freight transport and the future of financing infrastructure investments. Experts, decision-makers, and market leaders are meeting in Gdańsk to discuss key challenges, such as the green transformation of rail transport, the integration of European networks, and securing the potential and opportunities of the market for suppliers of materials and components for the construction of rail infrastructure.
Both industry visitors and railway enthusiasts (on the last day of the Fair) can visit impressive exhibitions set up on the tracks and in outdoor areas. This is where the most modern rail vehicles, infrastructure solutions, and
Technologies that shape the development of rail transport in Europe on a daily basis. Among the over 60 companies presenting exhibits in the outdoor areas, you can visit: Track Tec, Newag, Alstom, Stadler, and Siemens.
TRAKO also marked the beginning of the centenary celebrations of the Polish State Railways (PKP) and the 200th anniversary of global railways. The Fair's date is preceded by the symbolic birth of railways – the official opening of the railway line from Stockton to Darlington on September 27, 1825. Both the 200th anniversary of global railways and the 100th anniversary of PKP (Polish State Railways) are an opportunity not only to showcase technical and organizational achievements but also to reflect on the history and future of railways.
The final day of the fair will be dedicated to education and careers in the railway industry – the 5th edition of Education and Career Day. We cordially invite you to attend.
