UK and China sign Memorandum of Understanding on rail
18 Jun 2014 12:26 PM
Memorandum of
Understanding will pave the way for closer co-operation on rail design and
construction
Prime Minister David Cameron and
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang yesterday (17 June 2014) agreed that the UK and
Chinese rail industries will work together to boost economic growth, jobs and
skills.
The two countries signed a
bilateral agreement at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), paving the
way for closer co-operation on areas such as rail design, engineering,
construction, supply, operation and maintenance.
Transport Secretary Patrick
McLoughlin said:
I can see great mutual benefit
to be gained from increased co-operation between the UK and China on rail. The
railways are a massive success story in both countries and we can boast world
class expertise across the sector.
The government’s long term
economic plan is working, and Britain is on the rise. But the job is not done.
The success stories of the future will be economies that invest in
infrastructure and welcome overseas involvement and we want this partnership to
be a win-win situation creating economic growth and jobs here and abroad,
including in China.
The Memorandum of Understanding
– which covers all modes of rail, including high speed - states the scope
of the partnership may include:
- the development of new build and
upgrading rail infrastructure projects;
- the supply of products and
services to third markets;
- collaboration on research and
development within the rail sector;
- station
design;
- equipment
supply;
- rail transport safety and
evaluation; and
- energy saving and environmental
protection in rail.
The Transport Secretary signed
the MoU on behalf of the UK Government with Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of the
National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC), signing for the Chinese. The
UK is open to international investment and welcomes suitable qualified
companies from other countries, including China, to bid for projects in
accordance with international and domestic procurement practices and
laws.
The agreement states that
contracts won in the UK should utilise and build upon the UK supply
chain.
The UK also expects to see
greater emphasis on access to the China market for UK
companies.
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