KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) – Transport Minister Anthony Loke wants the Transport Expo Asia (TXA) to become a permanent biennial event, with the next edition targeted for 2028 to showcase transport technologies and innovation.
He said the expo would bring together industry players, promote international best practices and support the growth of Malaysia’s transport industry.
“I hope that TXA will be organised once every two years,” he said when opening TXA 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today.
Held from Oct 20 to 22, this year’s expo features 410 exhibitors and technology innovators across the land transport, aviation, maritime and logistics sectors.
Loke said the idea for a dedicated transport exhibition emerged from the Transport Ministry’s experience co-organising the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA).
He said LIMA’s growing popularity and limited exhibition space prompted the ministry to develop TXA, allowing LIMA to focus more on the defence industry.
“I brought a proposal to the Cabinet two years ago for the ministry to branch out from LIMA, leading to an inaugural TXA event on a smaller scale last year,” he said.
The 2026 edition features a 15,000-square-metre exhibition hall, autonomous vehicle demonstrations and strategic agreements. Loke said the technologies showcased were expected to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and strengthen safety and reliability in transport services.
Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony, he said government spending on transport infrastructure and maintenance should create greater opportunities for Malaysian companies across the supply chain.
He said original equipment manufacturers and suppliers could use TXA to connect with local businesses, particularly in component supply, manufacturing and maintenance for rail, aviation and road transport.
Loke said no economic impact target had been set for the expo’s first large-scale edition, but several memoranda of understanding and agreements were expected to be signed during the three-day event.
He also urged logistics companies and transport-related small and medium enterprises to explore the technologies on display and pursue potential business opportunities.
Also present at the opening were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan.
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