Siemens Plans To Set Up Local Assembly Plant For Rolling Stocks

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd intends to establish a local assembly plant for rolling stocks if it were chosen as the system provider for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang Mass Rail Transit (MRT) project. President and Chief Executive Officer M. Prakash Chandran said the local assembly plant would adhere to the government's requirement of having at least 30 per cent local content. "We are also in discussions with a few local companies for collaboration (to set up the assembly plant) and we will make our announcements when the consortium agreement is signed," he told reporters at a joint press conference with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Kuala Lumpur and Siemens Malaysia on Thursday. He said the company was looking for local companies that have experience in the maintenance of rolling stock. By having a local partner, he said the company could also come up with the most competitive package. "We will evaluate the ability of the local partner and increase their participation by maximising the use of locally available components and technology. "If there is a possibility of extending their participation, we will then perform the technology transfer," he added. On the current bid for the MRT project, Siemens Malaysia has pre-qualified for four out of 11 packages under the system works, including electric trains, depot work and equipment maintenance, signaling and train control system as well as power supply and distribution system. -- BERNAMA