ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 7. As part of his
official visit to the United States, Kazakhstan’s President signed
a key mandate agreement securing $1.6 billion in financing over 10
years to upgrade the country’s locomotive fleet, Trend reports.
According to Kazakhstan Railways, deliveries of Wabtec
locomotives are planned through 2038.
The agreement was concluded between Kazakhstan Railways and
Citibank, which is coordinating the financing. The deal is backed
by the U.S. Export-Import Bank (US EXIM), serving as the
guarantor.
Under the program, locomotives will be manufactured locally at
the Locomotive Assembly Plant in Astana, a subsidiary of Wabtec
Transportation Engines Holding B.V.
The initiative aims to comprehensively modernize Kazakhstan’s
traction fleet, significantly improving energy efficiency and
meeting the growing demands of freight transportation.