Malaysians head to Prague for the 27th World Road Congress
Biggest Delegation To Date
A total of 104 participants which included spouses and adult children travelled to Prague, Czech Republic in conjunction with the 5-day 27th edition of the World Road Congress commencing 2 October 2023. This sizeable delegation led by the Minster of Works YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi was the largest organised to date by REAM. There were many more late entrants but they had to be declined due to constraints in securing flight seats and accommodation.
Some 68 participants registered for the congress which included two speakers whose papers were accepted for presentation.
REAM coordinated the hosting of the Malaysia Pavilion showcasing road infrastructure development and the related products and services provided by the participating 26 pavilion partner companies (See accompanying report).
Having arrived in Prague in late afternoon on 30 September, the delegation had a free day on 1 October for a technical study tour. Prague (Praha), the capital of the Czech Republic, located at the heart of Europe is one of the continent’s finest cities and the major Czech economic and cultural centre. The city has a rich architectural heritage that reflects both the currents of Bohemian history and an urban life over more than 1,000 years.
Some delegates took time to visit Český Krumlov located in the South Bohemia region of the republic some two hours away from Prague. This quint old town is bisected by the Vitava River and dominated by its 13th century castle.
Following the conclusion of the congress, the participants were taken on a post-congress overland 2-night, 3-day technical study tour to Salzburg and Hallstatt in Austria en route to Munich, Germany.
Salzburg close to the German border came into international prominence after the release of the box-office musical hit Sound of Music. It is also the birthplace of the famed composer Mozart. The delegation spent a night in this iconic city.
The following morning, the 3-coach load participants proceeded to Hallstatt, a picture-postcard village on Lake Hallstatt's western shore in Austria's mountainous Salzkammergut region. For centuries until today, salt is still mined in its caves. The 16th century Alpine houses and alleyways are home to cafes and shops.
Late afternoon saw the delegation heading to Munich, Germany for an overnight stay. The next day on 8 October was spent taking in the sights and sounds of the once capital city, home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The delegation checked in to the airport in the late evening for the flight back home.
Of interest, this time around, REAM had planned technical study tours to iconic townships with picturesque sceneries away from the frequented major cities, the exception being Munich which facilitated the delegation’s return flight
Heritage design kindles visitor interest
REAM hosts the Malaysia Pavilion in Prague
REAM has once again gained spirited support from captains of road-related corporate companies to partner with its aspirations to host a Malaysia Pavilion at the 27th World Road Congress in Prague, Czech Republic from 2 to 5 October 2023. The Malaysia Pavilion was officially declared open by the Minister of Works YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi in the late afternoon of 2 October.
The following 26 companies responded to REAM’s clarion call for partnerships to showcase to worldwide visitors Malaysia’s road infrastructure development and the capabilities of Malaysian entrepreneurs in providing related products and services:
Diamond Partners
Roadcare (M) Sdn Bhd
THB Maintenance Sdn Bhd
Platinum Partners
PLUS Malaysia Berhad
Ekovest Berhad
Belati Wangsa (M) Sdn Bhd
Maltimur Resources / Rafulin
Pintas Utama Sdn Bhd
Selia Group
AHN Vertex Sdn Bhd
Perunding Irzi Sdn Bhd
Gold Partners
K2 Bitumen Sdn Bhd
System Builders Maintenance Services Sdn Bhd
BBR Construction Systems (M) Sdn Bhd
Dura Technology Sdn Bhd
Casa Hartamas Sdn Bhd
Saraworks Sdn Bhd
Hexatrend Sdn Bhd
Silver Partners
Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd
Stare Engineering
MCS Management Sdn Bhd
Novapave Sdn Bhd
Bronze Partners
ICP Piles
Advanced Stabilization Technologies Resources PLT
Cahya Mata Sarawak
Aktif Unggul Sdn Bhd
MyArch Group
There were more requests for partnership opportunities but they had to be declined due to the pavilion’s space constraints for displays
Over and above the enlightening pictorial displays by the participating partners exposing Malaysia’s engineering prowess, which caught the immediate attention and interest of visitors was the pavilion’s unique design encompassing Malaysia’s heritage, in particular the state of Kelantan’s traditional art. The Malaysia Pavilion stood out amidst other modern pavilion structures.
REAM has been actively participating in the past World Road Congresses by way of sizeable delegations and hosting of pavilions following Malaysia’s successful hosting of the 21st edition of this quadrennial event in Kuala Lumpur in 1999.
The pavilion designs were invariably based on the cultural artistry unique to the Malaysian states. Since the 23rd edition in 2007 in Paris, followed by the 24th in Mexico in 2011, the 25th series in Seoul in 2015 and the 26th in Abu Dhabi in 2019, the Malaysia pavilion designs embraced the cultural and traditional tapestry of the states of Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu and Sarawak respectively.
