The first six locomotives of the 12 purchased by the Republic of Moldova with the assistance of European financial institutions got to Chisinau. In his speech, Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Sergiu Railean said this is a first step towards reorganizing Moldova’s Railways (CFM), which is covered by the rail transport system reform. This investment will reduce consumption and costs for maintaining locomotives, will diminish the transportation time and will increase the speed of movement, said the official, being quoted by IPN.

The locomotives were produced by the Kazakh company General Electric, which won the tender contest held in 2018. The value of the contract for the purchase of the 12 new locomotives is €45 million. The money was lent by the EBRD and EIB.

“We all know that Moldova’s Railways during the past few years has gone through a very difficult period, sustaining losses. The volume of transported freight has decreased. The pool of trains is old. This modernization stage will help save the state-owned enterprise,” said President Igor Dodon, who attended the presentation event.

EU Ambassador in Chisinau Peter Michalko said this accomplishment is a proof that the European Union is the most powerful supporter of the Republic of Moldova. The locomotives represent only a small part of the assistance offered by it to make people’s lives better.

The purchase of locomotives forms part of a project to restructure the CFM that is financed by the EBRD, EIB and the EU. The total cost of the project is €110 million, €5 million of which represents a grant from the EU’s Neighborhood Investment Facility.