Turkey’s railway privatization plans stir foreign interest 2012-08-19

Turkey’s railway privatization plans stir foreign interest 

The plans regarding the opening of Turkey’s railroads to private sector use before the year’s end brings forth investment opportunities for world companies operating in railroad industry. Private sector entry to the country’s currently national-controlled railroad transportation is expected to attract logistics companies inclunding locomotive and railcar manufacturers.

Foreigners such as Deutsche Bahn, Schenker Arkas, and Rail Cargo have expressed interest in doing railroad transportation in Turkey according to the chief of Turkey’s Railway Transport Association, Ibrahim Oz who added that local firms are as well looking into railroad car manufacturing for the coming railroad boom. “Some companies are considering manufacturing in Turkey while some are considering entering railroad transportation sector via acquisitions. Manufacturing and transportation will grow hand in hand...”, Oz noted.

The draft bill to make available the country’s 11,000 km-long railway to private investors is expected to get through the parliament before the end of the year. Turkey plans to add some 15,000 km of track to its existing network by 2023.