Export of infrastructure system such as urban railways is to be promoted furthermore targeting emerging countries in South East Asia, said Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Akihiro Ohta at a press conference. The minister intends to participate in more sales visits abroad just as he did in Thailand in September for Bangkok urban rail system that was commissioned to Japanese consortium including East Japan Railway Co., Marubeni Corp. and Toshiba Corp. Bangkok Metro Public Co. has awarded the contract of rail systems for 23-kilometer “Purple Line” to the Japanese group. The group will supply train cars, power system and will provide maintenance services. Civil works will be conducted by Japanese contractors including Tokyu Construction Co. financed by Japanese Yen loan. Minister’s visit to Thai transport minister in September may have had an effect on this good result.

Ohta considers this project as a model that a Japanese railway operator has first participated in overseas railway construction. Advantages of Japanese technology have been highly evaluated and it resulted in winning the contract, Minister said.

Export of infrastructure systems is a part of the government’s National Growth Strategy. Minister Ohta will not only promote Japanese advanced technologies but request foreign governments to create favorable business environment for Japanese companies. (2013/11/11)