Ethiopia’s state owned Metal and Engineering Corporation (METEC) under its locomotive industry has started producing railcars in the aim of substituting them locally.

METEC started manufacturing the railcars after finalizing the design and prototype, Major Nigusu Solomon, head of locomotive industry, explained. He added the trial prototype lasted for four years.

According to Nigusu the plan is to substitute railcars Ethiopia will import in order to operate the railways it is constructing in the aim of connecting with neighboring countries.

As the nation is constructing railway lines that link it with the neighboring countries, it is inevitable it will have to import railcars. The corporation’s plan is to manufacture the cars in order to save foreign currency.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the locally manufacturing railcars will create link between small and medium industries. They will also create more jobs. The railcars will be designed to travel 160 km/hr and transport up to 1,300 persons.

In the aim of meeting the growing railcars demand, METEC is going to construct another locomotive manufacturing industry in Dire Dawa city.

According to Nigusu, the constructing the plant will be commenced in two months time and it will be erected on 70 hectares of land.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency