General Electric considering setting up production of locomotives and spare parts in Ukraine
General Electric is considering the production of locomotives in Ukraine, reported Ukrainian Transportation and Infrastructure Minister, Volodymyr Omelyan, at a press briefing, 112.ua reports.
"Negotiations with General Electric are being conducted. Projects that would localize production in Ukraine are being considered. I would like to have not only the construction of locomotives in Ukraine, but also the ability to produce spare parts for General Electric locomotives for other countries in the world. It will be a proper hedging of risks,” said the Minister.
He didn’t specify at which enterprise the project would be implemented.
"The company will decide whether it will be a Kryukov railway car plant or will it cooperate with Ukrzaliznytsia companies," the Minister said.
Omelyan also said that negotiations with General Electric continue regarding the lease of 30 locomotives to Ukraine’s state-run Ukrzaliznytsia.
According to the Minister, the Canadian company, Bombardier, as well as the Chinese Company CRCC are also interested in joint production of locomotives.
"Many companies are also ready to build open railway cars and grain containers, but since they understand that Ukrzaliznytsia has a complete monopoly on locomotives, there is a risk that they will stand at the station," Omelyan said.
According to him, “Ukrzaliznytsya should just be a transport company that provides transportation services.”