The agreement on the cooperation between PAO Ukrzaliznytsya and General Electric is going to be signed by the end of the current month, approximately on 22-23 February, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has said, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
“Today I would like to inform you that Ukrzaliznytsya, the Infrastructure Ministry, the Government Investment Office have concluded negotiations with General Electric. By the end of the month, I think, on 22-23 February, we will sign the agreement on cooperation between General Electric and Ukrzaliznytsya. This will mean that we are going to receive new haul for Ukrzaliznytsya, and most importantly, in cooperation with General Electric we are going to manufacture railway rolling stock in Ukraine, including localised production in the country. This means jobs, new technology, and our incorporation into General Electric’s global system throughout the world”, - Groysman said during a government meeting on Wednesday.
He emphasized the importance of this step – in fact, the decision is being made which will localize up to 40% of locomotive manufacturing inside Ukraine.
“This is going to take time, we will start with 10%, but the agreement provides for the figure to rise up to 40%”, - Prime Minister added.
Ukrzaliznytsya is expected to purchase up to 30 diesel-powered locomotives from General Electric in 2018. The locomotives are expected to be assembled at the Kryukovsky railway car manufacturing plant.