Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group) and JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) have signed a cooperation agreement to export the Italian technological, operational and engineering know-how of FS Group to Ukraine.
The agreement was signed simultaneously by the FS Group in the Ukrainian Embassy in Rome and by the Ukrainian Railways in Kyiv, via video link. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is the first step towards exporting the Italian knowledge and expertise to Ukraine in order to develop and enhance innovative solutions in the country's rail infrastructure and transport, especially for High Speed. FS Group has recently acquired a significant order for high speed infrastructure in the Baltic area, which is a strategic project for a future connection to Ukraine.
Despite the ongoing health emergency all over the world, FS activity in foreign markets has never stopped. We are proud to be able to export our skills and know-how to the world for the implementation of projects and the activation of services that will contribute to the economic and sustainable development of the countries in which we are present.
Gianfranco Battisti, managing director of the FS Group
The MoU includes also training and consultancy activities in Ukraine and the transfer of efficient systems integration methodologies.
The Ukrainian government planned to develop a high-speed line of about 900 kilometers, starting from Odessa and reaching the border with the European Union, via Kyiv and L’viv. This ambitious project prompted Ukrainian Railways to seek world-class companies that can carry out studies and design of the line. Among the candidates to play the role of designer is Italferr, an engineering company of the FS Group already engaged in numerous international markets.
The signing of the agreement is part of the climate of cooperation between the two governments, already confirmed at the Italy-Ukraine Joint Commission in December 2020 and, in this sense, the Memorandum could be the first step towards exporting of Italian excellence and know-how in the transport and high-speed sector in Ukraine, thus strengthening the presence of the FS Group abroad.
FS News
Source: FS News
