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Given the complete deterioration of Ukrainian electric locomotives, the bidding could not be delayed, the minister said.
Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan says Canadian-based Bombardier Transportation, the world's largest manufacturer of railway equipment, is ready to take part in a tender for supplies of electric locomotives to the Ukrainian state-owned railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways).
"As always, everyone is waiting for Ukrzaliznytsia's tender, where not only Alstom, but also Bombardier [Transportation], and Chinese companies are ready to compete. Given the complete deterioration of Ukrainian [electric] locomotives, the bidding could not be delayed," the minister wrote on Facebook, following his working visit to France.
According to the minister, Alstom is ready to start cooperation with Ukrzaliznytsia and launch the production of electric locomotives in Ukraine.
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"This refers to billions in investment, production in Ukraine of ultra-modern freight and passenger electric locomotives. Production of urban electric transport means can potentially be considered as well," he added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv said French-based Alstom, the largest manufacturer of power equipment and railway transport, planned to create joint or new production facilities in Ukraine.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Viktor Dovhan in September said that Alstom and CRRC would participate in the tender to supply electric locomotives to Ukraine.
UNIAN memo. JSC Ukrzaliznytsia, or Ukrainian Railways, is wholly owned by the state. The company is included in the list of state-owned enterprises that are not subject to privatization.
Ukrainian Railways accounts for 82% of freight haulage and nearly 50% of all passenger transportation. It ranks fourth on the Eurasian continent, following only the railways of China, Russia, and India, in terms of cargo transportation volumes.