Kazakhstan exports 80 freight locomotive sections to Azerbaijan PHOTO

Kazakhstan has exported 80 sections of freight electric locomotives to Azerbaijan, produced at a facility in the capital's industrial zone.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, visited the facility on January 6, where he was briefed on the production capabilities, Caliber.Az reports via Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The plant, which was established as part of an industrialization programme with French company Alstom, manufactures a variety of components, including locomotive bodies, transformers, and both low and high-voltage cabinets.

"The plant has produced and serviced 380 freight and 70 passenger electric locomotives for Kazakhstan's national rail operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy," Tokayev was informed during the visit. "Additionally, 80 sections of freight locomotives have been successfully exported to Azerbaijan."

Alstom, a key player in the plant’s operations, is also investing in the construction of service centres across Kazakhstan. “We are expanding our footprint with new service centres in Astana, Almaty, Shu, and Arys, which will generate 700 additional jobs for local communities,” said an Alstom representative.

Alstom has been active in Kazakhstan's railway market since 2010, beginning with the establishment of the EKZ facility to manufacture electric locomotives for the Kazakh rail network. EKZ was officially opened in 2012, and by 2014, it secured a subcontract to provide 40 Prima T8 "AZ8A" freight locomotives to Azerbaijan Railways (ADY).

As the sole producer of electric locomotives in the region, EKZ adopted robust business strategies, and in March 2022, the site became fully owned by Alstom.

By Aghakazim Guliyev