Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Ahmad Akhundi and the visiting German Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure Alexander Dobrindt sealed the agreement in Tehran on Monday evening.
A working group was agreed to be formed for reinvigoration of collaborations in various transportation sectors and the group is slated to seek venues for cooperation in airport, railway, maritime and road fields as of today.
On the sidelines of the MoU signing ceremony, Iran’s Akhundi stressed that the two sides had reached agreement to produce 50 diesel locomotives.
Akhundi said the locomotives will be manufactured in MAPNA Company of Iran in cooperation with German Siemens Company.
He added that German Federal Minister's visit to Iran is aimed at following up the already reached agreements for cooperation in various fields of transportation.
The minister said the country had 165 diesel locomotives, 130 of which are operating in the railway network while the rest are going through overhaul.
Akhundi pointed to the need for 150 new locomotives and as a result of the new agreement as a portion of the demand will be supplied. He added that a number of the locomotives will be for future needs, however.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Akhundi expressed the hope that negotiations to purchase 70 electrical locomotives with transfer of its know-how will come to conclusion.
He went on to maintain that in time with electrification of Teheran-Mashhad railroad, suitable locomotives were needed; “we are finalizing negotiations for purchase of these engines.”
Iran’s roads minister noted that the suggestions were made to the German side for investment in Tabriz, Ahwaz and Chabahar airports.
“Last week, a call for investment was made for construction of Iranshahr terminal in Imam Khomeini airport,” reported the official stressing that Germans could also submit proposals.
Akhundi said talks were also conducted over maritime transport, construction of an aircraft maintenance center as well as smartification of road transport which will hopefully yield positive outcome.
“Financial transactions for buying Airbus aircraft as well as equipment of some Iranian ports have been carried out by Germany,” he continued.
The German minister, for his part, voiced satisfaction that excellent venues existed for cooperation in transports related areas between the two countries.
He expressed his countries eagerness to exchange experiences in renovation of various transport sectors; “Munich and Frankfurt airports are ready to develop Iranian airports.”
Dobrindt further suggested that negotiations were pursued in Berlin given that Tehran talks were satisfactory.
The German minister is heading a delegation comprising 30 senior directors of German companies including CEOs of Munich and Frankfurt airports.
Alexander Dobrindt had previously visited Tehran in October 2016 and six memorandums of understanding were signed between the two sides that could further boost transport cooperation.
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