Argentina to purchase Chinese trains

BUENOS AIRES - The Argentine government Tuesday approved a contract to purchase railway equipment from a Chinese firm, said a government gazette.

The contract was signed by the Argentine Ministry of the Interior and Transportation and the Chinese firm CSR Qingdao Sifang Co, Ltd on May 23, 2013 and officially approved with Administrative Decision 584/2013,published Tuesday in the gazette.

The gazette said the contract will supply railway equipment, as well as technical services and training to renovate rails and wheels for the General Roca Line, which will link the capital city Buenos Aires with a populous metropolitan area to the south.

The Chinese-built trains adopt the latest technology, assuring comfort, speed and safety, the Argentine government said.

The gazette added the spending needed will be covered by the credits granted to the ministry.

In February 2012, a train accident in Buenos Aires killed 51 passengers, which prompted the government to intervene in the privately-run operation and order the renovation of trains, an opportunity that had attracted the interest of Chinese firms.