GBP's Interviews

As part of our GBP International Interview Series, we had the pleasure of speaking with Natasha Zulkifli on 28th December 2020. Drawing from her diverse experience in government, the private sector and NGOs, Natasha offered valuable insights into working with both European and Asian stakeholders.

Currently overseeing a 200 km railway project connecting Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, she shared her perspective on how Asian contractors are increasingly competing and succeeding against their European counterparts. Her message serves as a wake-up call: Europeans risk complacency, even with their technological advantages, which will not endure without improvements in areas such as services, local content maximization, spare parts and maintenance, digitalization and financing solutions.

Natasha also spoke about her passion for the Women in Rail Project and her experiences navigating ASEAN politics. Overall, her refreshing and balanced outlook on EU–Asia relations provides a nuanced view of both global and local dynamics.

In a thought-provoking interview with GBP International CEO Volker Friedrich, Natasha Zulkifli — rail industry leader and founder of Women in Rail Malaysia — shares her experiences navigating ASEAN politics, leading a major railway project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and promoting gender equality in a male-dominated field. She highlights the competitive edge of Asian contractors, the need for European engagement, the impact of COVID-19 and her vision for connecting women globally in rail and beyond.

“Europeans become complacent despite or even because of their technological leads. These advantages will not hold unless you raise your level in other areas.”

— Natasha Zulkifli

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