KYIV. July 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The U.S. General Electric Corporation seeks to improve efficiency of public joint-stock company Ukrzaliznytsia using own technologies.
An Interfax-Ukraine correspondent has reported that GE Transportation Marketing Director Adem Saglik informed reporters on this after singing a memorandum of cooperation with Ukrzaliznytsia.
“We need to understand in cooperation with Ukrzaliznytsia what type of investment and what type of cooperation would be important for them. If we speak about diesel locomotives, of course, the state of rolling stock is sad. In the past 25-30 years Ukrzaliznytsia has not bought any new locomotives. This affects its efficiency. We are confident in a possibility of using our solutions to improve Ukrzaliznytsia’s efficiency,” he said.
Saglik said that General Electric could also find financial solutions for Ukrzaliznytsia.
“We always ask Ukrzaliznytsia what rolling stock modernization plans they have. We hear about modernization of maybe 200-300 units. They would need to buy some new locomotives and new equipment, but we cannot name exact figures. Ukrzaliznytsia is to carry out own assessment. If we speak about long-term outlook, this could concern modernization or replacement of 400-500 units,” he said.
He said that this project is a long-term project. It could envisage modernization of 50-60 units a year.
Asked about the selection of the site for joint operations and the local content level, Saglik said that the company’s representatives held a familiarization tour in Ukraine, but it is early to announce any decision. The deeper assessment should be conducted.
“I want to say that Ukraine has sites with a large potential. The local content level depends on the project and its details. Usually when we speak about local content, final assembly and startup works are done at the site,” he said.
