The Spanish government has granted Algeria a €102.1mn credit to purchase 17 diesel trains within the Development Supporting Fund. These 340-seat trains, which can reach a maximum speed of 160kmph, will be manufactured by Spanish company CAF (Construccion y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), which landed the contract earlier in 2005 after an international invitation to tender.
CAF is one of the international market leaders in the design, manufacture, maintenance and supply of equipment and components for railway systems.
In October, Turkish Railways (TCDD) awarded CAF the tender for 10 high-speed trains. The contract, which includes the trains, the warranty and spare parts, amounts to around €180mn in total.