Five companies have presented bids to buy locomotives for the state-run company “Moldova’s Railways”. The winner will be announced within two months, while the locomotives must be purchased within a year, the company’s director Iurii Topala stated for IPN.
The director said the five companies are from the United States, Kazakhstan (company with American investors), China, Spain, and Russia. These fulfilled all the requirements. The bids will be examined during a month and the winning bid will be announced later.
The financing contract between Moldova and the European Investment Bank was ratified by Parliament last yearend. “Moldova’s Railways” will get €50 million within 20 tranches of at least €500,000. The first part of the contract envisions the purchase of 11 electrical diesel locomotives suitable for transporting both passengers and freight. There will also be purchased relevant maintenance equipment.
The second part of the contract refers to the rehabilitation of railway infrastructure. The rehabilitation works will focus on the Bender-Chisinau-Ungheni-Balti-Ocnita and Bender-Basarabeasca-Etulia-Giurgiulesti segments.
