Jakarta, July 22 (CNA) Taiwan Rolling Stock Co. (TRSC), the country's first railroad car manufacturer, has entered into an agreement with an Indonesian company to jointly build 400 stainless-steel electric multiple units (EMUs).
The trains will be built to meet orders from African countries, according to TRSC Chairman Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯), who visited Indonesia recently to discuss the deal with state-owned PT Industri Kereta Api Indonesia (INKA).
He said that because INKA is not familiar with stainless-steel body car technology, it decided to partner with TRSC.
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on the project, and TRSC will give a price quote for the trains within a week, Tsai told the CNA.
If both sides agree on the price, they will officially sign a contract, possibly in August, he said.
Under the preliminary plan, the bodies of the train will be made in Taiwan, after which they will be delivered to Indonesia for assembly, Tsai said.
He said the collaboration is a great opportunity for Taiwan to promote its "New Southbound Policy" and to help Indonesia develop its railroad industry, which in turn might lead to opportunities for cooperation with other Asian countries.
