Tuesday September 25, 2012
Malaysia-China venture to manufacture locomotives at new centre in Perak
By REGINA LEE
regina@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to become Asean's rail manufacturing hub with the setting up of the first rail centre in the region.
China's largest metro vehicle manufacturer, China Southern Rail Group, yesterday inked a memorandum of agreement with the Malaysian Government to set up shop in Batu Gajah, Perak, also their first centre outside China.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who witnessed the signing of the MoA said he was certain the RM400mil centre would become the catalyst for growth for industries involved in railway technology in Malaysia.
Sleek train: Najib being briefed by Xu (right) on a train model after the signing ceremony. With them are (from left) Kong, Chai and Dr Zambry. “I am hopeful that it will be a pivotal nerve centre in providing the technical know-how and transfer of technology to Malaysians working at the centre while also generating jobs and business opportunities,” he said.
He said in 10 years, there would be a demand for 250 new unit of rail cars and locomotives in Malaysia while the demand from Asean and the Middle East was expected to touch 2,900 units.
“This is a massive new market and I fervently hope a certain percentage will be fulfilled at the CSR Rail Centre,” he said.
The complex, named CSR Rolling Stock Centre (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, will be operated by a CSR Group subsidiary, CSR ZhuZhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd (CSR ZELC), and is expected to provide 800 jobs.
“The plant is expected to build 100 to 150 new train cars each year and refurbish another 150.
“It will help boost economic growth, create jobs and greatly enhance the capacity of high-end rail equipment manufacturing in Malaysia,” said CSR Group vice-president Fu Jianguo.
The MoA was signed by Transport Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Long See Wool and CSR ZELC executive director and president Xu Zongxiang.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi also witnessed the signing.
The centre, which is scheduled to start operating in 2014, will be located on 20.23ha of leased land.
CSR ZELC recently provided 38 sets of six-car rolling stock for KTM Berhad's MyKomuter train services.
- Malacca CM: Indonesian workers can work in Malacca and return home daily
- Liow accepts Astro host apology over blackout posting
- TV9 exec murder: Court sets June 26 for mention
- Cameron Highlands: Pos Terisu clearing is legal, says Pahang MB
- Cops bust ‘bomoh’ cheating syndicate from China
- Raja Nazrin: Integrity can be strengthened if law is enforced without fear
- Man jailed 10 years for sodomising six-year-old girl
- Zahid promises no political interference in police force
- Rally to go ahead, says Chegubard
- Discipline teacher acquitted of molesting 11 teenage girls
- Yazid, two others acquitted and discharged from Sosma
- Three gold bars missing from Penang Hindu Endowment Board
- Two handicraft makers to hang for drug trafficking
- Guan Eng should apologise to me, says Zahid
- Adnan Yaakob announces new portfolios for 10 excos
- Affin Q1 earnings decline on lower share from associate
- Tenaga unit issues RM1.62b Sukuk for Penang power plant
- Fajar Baru posts RM1.5m net profit, optimistic on growth
- Malaysia's KLCI closes nearly 8pt up, IOI Corp, CIMB advance
- Little sign Abe can shake up Japan's inbound FDI
- Ideal Jacobs steps up expansion in China
- TH Plantations to complete Kalimantan land purchase by June
- Time dotCom in search of more acquisitions
- Battersea Power Station's Phase 1 records RM3.12b sales
- Maybank considering internal, external candidates for CEO
- Instacom bags RM205m telco job in Sarawak
- BToto hopes to list business trust in Singapore end-August
- KLCI up nearly 8pt midday, banks, O&G lead gainers (Update)
- Despite curbs, China's vast hot money triangle flourishes
- RHB Research maintains Neutral on auto sector
- Golf: Johnson triumphs by one stroke at Mobile Bay LPGA
- Chong Wei urges team-mates to bounce back from shock defeat to Taiwan
- Kien Keat-Boon Heong may not play in Group C tie against Germany
- Koo-Tan’s stunning loss rocks Malaysian camp
- Kjaersfeldt ready to continue strong Danish tradition
- Sindhu shines for India after spectacular performance
- Danial shatters 100m mark as four records fall on opening day
- Pavithraa in sizzling form despite the heat
- Wee Wern relishes playing at unique venue ... a football stadium
- Coach Irving has no doubts Nicol will peak at the right time
- ‘Comeback king’ Timothy lands his second title
- KLHC to the fore again
- New Cheras velodrome may steal limelight from RM80mil Labu project
- Azlan and Zamri do Malaysia proud in ARRC race at Sentul
- Broken clutch lever costs Hafizh dearly in Le Mans
- Abdul Wahid and Paul Low taking huge pay cuts
- MPs can earn up to RM10,000 per month
- Take action against Kian Ming, voter told
- DAP unhappy over Selangor exco positions
- Rafizi reveals eight not allowed to vote during GE13
- Stern action awaits rally-goers
- Utusan says no to AirAsia ads
- Guan Eng should apologise to me, says Zahid
- Prosecution given until June 6 to decide on rape-marry case
- Astro presenter’s Facebook post on Bentong ‘blackout’ draws more flak
- MPs can earn up to RM10,000 per month
- Ten important items for you to prepare for the inevitable
- Abdul Wahid and Paul Low taking huge pay cuts
- Professionals warn there is too much of office space in the Klang Valley
- Liow accepts Astro host apology over blackout posting
- Should Sime Darby also demerge; big values can be created by spinning off companies
- Malacca CM: Indonesian workers can work in Malacca and return home daily
- Battersea Power Station's Phase 1 records RM3.12b sales
- Take action against Kian Ming, voter told
- Stern action awaits rally-goers
RSS
