The China International Metro Transit Exhibition (MetroTrans 2026) concludes in Guangzhou on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Overseas expansion will become another growth engine for the business of Guangzhou Metro Group during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), according to a senior manager in the urban rail operator's international business department.

"As an important central city and international comprehensive transportation hub in China, Guangzhou has rapid rail transit construction, vast development space and advanced equipment technology that provide fertile ground for the thriving development of the rail transit industry," said Yao Shifeng, general manager of the division.

Yao made the remark during the China International Metro Transit Exhibition (MetroTrans 2026), which concluded in Guangzhou, on Wednesday.

The China International Metro Transit Exhibition (MetroTrans 2026) concludes in Guangzhou on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The event brought together representatives from more than 52 domestic urban rail transit units and 28 countries and regions, along with 519 related enterprises.

"Through on-site matchmaking activities at the exhibition, local enterprises industry chain can engage in face-to-face cooperation with domestic and foreign rail transit owners," Yao said.

The cooperation is intended to help Guangzhou's rail transit industry go global and develop the transit experience for international passengers.

The China International Metro Transit Exhibition (MetroTrans 2026) concludes in Guangzhou on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As of the end of last year, Guangzhou's rail transit industry had exceeded 300 billion yuan ($44.98 billion) in revenues, with a year-on-year growth of 9.6 percent and an average annual compound growth rate of about 10 percent over the past three years. The city's rail transit industry chain includes some 900 enterprises.

Guangzhou Metro has so far implemented 61 overseas projects with a total contract value above 5.2 billion yuan in 22 countries and regions.

"Overseas business will be the second growth curve in our 15th Five-Year Plan's strategic planning," Yao said.