(Turkmenistan.ru) - Turkmenistan has received coaches with modern conveniences from the People's Republic of China. As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports, this was the last consignment of coaches supplied within the framework of a contract signed last year with Chinese Capital-Lonqji Sci-Tech CРѕ, Ltd on the purchase by the Ministry of railway transportation of 50 coaches (including 30 sleepers) and 48 powerful locomotives, reports Trend.
The coaches were made to meet the climatic conditions of Turkmenistan. In particular, they are equipped with the latest system of air conditioning. The coaches supplied earlier by the Chinese side are now used on the route Ashgabat-Karakums-Dashoguz daily. Passengers travelling across the hot desert have already had the opportunity to feel the advantages of the modern coaches.
A contract for supply of the coaches and improved diesel locomotives was made on concessionary terms for the Turkmen rail workers. The Turkmen side paid just 15% of the contract cost during the first months of the contract. The remaining part of the contract cost was covered by the 8-year credit issued by Capital-Lonqji Sci-Tech CРѕ, Ltd with the annual interest of 3,6%. The equipment suppliers have pledged to provide a two-year warranty service and to build a service centre for this purpose.
The renewal of a railway fleet on such favorable terms with the supplier acting as a creditor lays the foundation for the long-term cooperation of China with Turkmenistan where a major overhaul of the railway sector is taking place. In fact, a US $ 80, 250 million contract has been signed recently with China's largest industrial-investment company CITIC for supply of over 200 coaches, including 160 sleeping cars, from China.