Biz Scene: LOCAL

Locomotive base

China's largest rail production and repair base in Central China's Hubei Province began operation on Monday.

The production and repair base in Wuhan, the province's capital, will be capable of producing 11,000 cargo train cars and repairing 17,000 cars annually. It is the largest facility of its kind in Asia, Xinhua reported.

With an investment of 3 billion yuan, the 100-hectare base was created after the merger of a number of locomotive companies in Central and South China. It also aims to export 40,000 tons of parts and repair 450 passenger trains annually.

Outsourcing boost

East China's Shandong Province has vowed to promote outsourcing industry in the next three years.

The local government will lay down more favorable policies in this sector, develop information technology and provide financial support.

The province aims to build 10 outsourcing bases by 2010 and cooperate with at least 50 multinational companies by offering them offshore outsourcing services.

(China Daily 11/14/2007 page15)