Angola: Finance Minister Andre Luí Brandão has announced plans to spend US$4bn rehabilitating 2722 km of track in four phases over the next 11 years. The US$78m first phase is nearing completion, the second will see US$90m of modernisation work, and the third and fourth would involve extensions to neighbouring countries.
China: Asian Development Bank has approved a US$180m loan towards the US$548m cost of a 167 km single-track line from Lijiang to Dali in Yunnan province, serving 11 stations. Opening is planned for 2009.
Czech Republic: On November 11 parliament agreed to guarantee a €45m credit from Eurofima, which will fund purchase of 26 coaches, 14 Class 471 EMUs and 20 Class 380 three-system electric locos during 2005.
Netherlands: The Transport Ministry has reserved €340m towards the cost of replacing a viaduct in central Delft with a tunnel. Work is planned to start in 2010.
Romania: CFR Calatori has received a €73·8m 10-year loan from ING and HVB for the purchase of 57 Siemens Desiro DMUs by the end of 2006.
Russia: EBRD is lending US$40m to BaltTransServis to buy oil tank wagons and freight locos. The company holds a railway carrier licence and plans to start operating trains on behalf of oil producers.
By 2007 Russian Railways is to invest 9bn roubles upgrading the 370 km line to the Chinese border at Zabaikal’sk, including electrification and double-tracking. Daily train pairs across the border will be increased from 14 to 20 during 2005.
Vietnam: The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has allocated 7·2bn dong to upgrade level crossings in the city.
