General Electric signs memos of cooperation with Antonov State Enterprise, Ukrzaliznytsia

The U.S. General Electric Corporation on July 21, 2016 signed letters of cooperation with Ukraine's Antonov State Enterprise and public joint-stock company Ukrzaliznytsia.

"We sign two strategic and political documents on cooperation with GE at the Infrastructure Ministry. This decision is not accident: we were mulling the positions of all players on the global market for a long time. We understand that GE is number one company in the world in production of diesel locomotives," Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said.

He said that one document signed with Ukrzaliznytsia creates the legal base for further strategic cooperation in production of locomotives in Ukraine.

"The second paper is important too. This is Antonov State Enterprise. We are one of few countries producing own planes. We believe that cooperation with GE in supplies of engines would bring our planes to the new quality level. We would be able to occupy the deserved niche in global airspace. I am sure that we have all chances for this. I hope that we will start implementing the projects in practice after signing this document. The world demands Antonov planes, but with high-quality European engines," the minister said.

Ukrzaliznytsia Head Wojciech Balczun said that reformation of the company into public joint-stock company has been accelerated.

"First, this is modernization of locomotives and wagons. Everyone knows that they require modernization. I am sure that thanks to cooperation with GE we will be able to accelerate these processes and build the economically viable rolling stock. We will hold negotiations on the modernization directions, including with other manufacturers," he said.

GE Transportation Marketing Director Adem Saglik added that the company is ready to meet the challenge, as GE has a large experience of work all over the world with different clients. Ukraine will be no exception.

"We think that taking into account the strategic location of the country and railway infrastructure, we have a large potential. We are glad to be part of reform in Ukraine not only from the point of goods supplies, but improvement of operation efficiency," he said.

Antonov President Oleksandr Kotsiuba said that the signing of the memo is another confirmation of support of the aviation sector by the state. Officials understand that aircraft building is the sector of national importance.

"We hope that our partnership will be mutually beneficial. We are waiting for better conditions to buy products," he said.

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