The European Union and Bangladesh have strengthened cooperation on modernizing and decarbonizing Bangladesh’s railway sector, with a focus on electrification, infrastructure development and institutional capacity building.
A high-level Bangladesh delegation led by Ministry of Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam and Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain attended InnoTrans 2026, the international transport technology trade fair in Berlin. The visit followed earlier meetings in Brussels and was supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.
.jpg)
A key focus was Bangladesh’s first railway electrification project on the Narayanganj–Dhaka–Joydebpur commuter corridor, which has recently received approval through the country’s national planning process and is proposed for co-financing by the EIB and Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project would introduce overhead catenary systems, traction substations and electric multiple units (EMUs) to Bangladesh’s railway network for the first time.
The delegation also discussed preparations for an EU Railway Twinning Project aimed at strengthening Bangladesh Railway’s institutional capacity through cooperation with railway authorities in EU member states.
Other EU-supported or proposed investments include the completed Laksam–Akhaura double-track project, delivery of 200 broad-gauge passenger carriages, and the planned Laksam–Chattogram double-track dual-gauge upgrade, along with potential projects on the Dhaka–Chattogram main railway corridor.
Bangladesh has also invited the EU and EIB to explore co-financing, alongside the ADB, for the proposed Tongi–Akhaura railway project, which would develop a dual-gauge double line and improve connectivity between Dhaka and Chattogram. The ADB has expressed initial interest in supporting the project.
EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller said the EU is partnering with Bangladesh on railway modernization, including the country’s first electrified railway line.
He said Bangladesh’s participation in InnoTrans 2026 was an important step towards the planned EU-Bangladesh Business Forum in Dhaka next April, which will showcase investment opportunities in the country.
Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam said participation in InnoTrans marked a new chapter in Bangladesh’s cooperation with the EU and that the experience and insights gained would contribute directly to the country’s railway electrification and modernization programs.
During the event, the Bangladesh delegation held meetings with major European railway companies and institutions, including Siemens Mobility, Alstom, Hitachi Rail, CAF, UNIFE, EIB, DIGAS Group, the European Union Agency for Railways, Vossloh, Elecnor, Lucchini RS and CIM Group.
Discussions covered railway electrification, signaling and infrastructure modernization. The delegation also attended the DB Rail Leaders’ Summit, the launch of the UNIFE World Rail Market Study and technical sessions on digital signaling, the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and AI-driven rail innovation.
The engagements are expected to support continued EU-Bangladesh cooperation under Global Gateway and contribute to the development of a more sustainable, modern and efficient railway network in Bangladesh.
