French firms eye railway projects in Vietnam

October 10, 2018 | 09:55

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A mission of the French Embassy in Vietnam led by Laurent Chopiton, Deputy Economic Counsellor, on October 8 worked with Vietnam Railways (VNR) on a possible cooperation in railway projects in the future.

french firms eye railway projects in vietnam

The chairman of VNR and Laurent Chopiton at the working session

According to Laurent Chopiton, a group of French businesses, specifically SNCF, will pay a working visit to VNR on October 23. In preparation, the French Embassy is looking for possibilities to boost cooperation between VNR and French firms.

VNR Chairman Vu Anh Minh said that the corporation will carry out several new projects in the coming months using VND7 trillion ($309.73 million) from the mid-term public investment fund.

Minh expressed his wish that the French Embassy will be a bridge between VNR and French businesses in its new projects.

What is more, the north-south high-speed railway project is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly in late 2019. "We hope French firms are interested and join this project," said Minh.

The chairman also admitted that VNR is seeking funds from the French government for its projects on IT application, the modernisation of locomotives and carriages, and the purchase of spare parts.

Laurent Chopiton, in response, said that the French Embassy is willing to connect VNR with the French government and firms in VNR's future projects.

According to VNR, the VND7 trillion ($309.73 million) is proposed to be used for four projects. The works include the upgrading of the Hanoi-Vinh section, the Vinh-Nha Trang section, the Nha Trang-Saigon section, and the upgrading of railway bridges and tunnels, as well as opening new stations.

VNR hopes that the projects will help increase its operational efficiency amid stiffening competition from aviation, road, and waterway.

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