Russian Railways sees potential to extend North-South corridor to Africa, studying rail projects in African countries
MOSCOW. May 22 (Interfax) - Russian Railways (RZD) sees potential to extend the North-South International Transport Corridor to Africa and is also studying railway projects in a number of African countries, RZD first deputy CEO Sergei Pavlov said on Thursday.
"Given the potential of developing trade with [African] countries, we see prospects for the further development and extension of the North-South International Transport Corridor in the direction of Africa with the creation of the appropriate transport infrastructure. We are prepared to actively get involved in this work with interested Russian operators and logistics companies," Pavlov said in the State Duma during an expanded meeting of the expert council for the development and support of comprehensive partnership with African countries.
"In addition, we are currently studying opportunities to implement projects to build and modernize railway infrastructure in certain countries, namely Burkina Faso, Ghana and South Africa, and we're also waiting for the normalization of the situation in Libya. In this area we're prepared to offer African partners the whole range of services, from feasibility study to construction and equipment supplies," Pavlov said.
"Of course, the issue of financing and ensuring mutual settlements is extremely important. But here we're working with our specialized Russian agencies and institutions in the support of foreign economic activities," he said.
The North-South International Transport Corridor connects northern Europe with countries on the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean through Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Russia, Iran and India signed an agreement on the creation of this multimodal corridor in 2000 and now there are 12 participating countries. The corridor includes through routes: the western route along the western coast of the Caspian Sea, the eastern route along the eastern coast of the Caspian and the trans-Caspian route across the sea.
