As one of the strategies for repositioning TAZARA towards boosting its haulage capacity, on 6 September 2017 in Dar es Salaam, the Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bombardier Transportation to explore possibilities for investment cooperation.
With access to possible international funding options to support the revitalisation of TAZARA, Bombardier Transportation has offered a preliminary turnkey solution for TAZARA to increase efficiency and capacity in the areas of track, rolling stock, signalling and telecommunications.
Following the signing of the MoU, the Company shall now create a joint team to undertake a feasibility study that will define and agree on the scope of the partnership, after which Bombardier Transportation will submit a full technical and financial proposal for our consideration.
TAZARA Managing Director, Eng. Bruno Ching’andu, welcomed the development: “We are delighted to welcome Bombardier Transportation, an acclaimed global leader in rail and aircraft technology, as one of the key partners in our quest to attain medium to long-term aspirations that include investing in rolling stock and infrastructure.
“On our part, we remain very open to all possibilities for introducing investments in rolling stock and infrastructure, which is essential for uplifting our capacity and instilling confidence in our customers.”
Bombardier Transportation Director for Sales and Business Development, Nazif Tasci, who signed the MoU on behalf of Bombardier, assured TAZARA that it was very possible to arrange a turnkey solution, including a very attractive funding arrangement via the Kingdom of Sweden.
“In the past, we have successfully closed transactions based on support from the European-based Export Credit Agencies, Export Development Canada, the Swedish Export Credits Guarantee Board, and the Swedish Export Credit Corporation to extend financing to our customers and we strongly believe this is also possible in the case of TAZARA,” said Mr. Tasci.
