Think Railways

The European Investment Bank is considering granting Moldovan Railways a loan worth EUR 50 million for improving  and modernising both Moldova's railway network and rolling stock.  It consists of a framework with two components: the acquisition of 11 mainline diesel locomotives suitable for both freight and passenger services and the associated maintenance equipment and the rehabilitation of selected sections of the railway infrastructure. The project is part of a broader programme, which also includes restructuring of the Moldovan railway sector in order to enable it to provide adequate services and to compete with other modes of transport.

The proposed operation is in line with the objectives of the 2014-2020 External Lending Mandate as it contributes to the development of economic infrastructure, in particular transport. Being partially located on the TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) as extended to specific neighbouring countries based on high-level agreements on transport infrastructure, this project will play a role in deepening the integration with the European transport system. By promoting sustainable means of transport the project also contributes to climate change mitigation, a cross-cutting objective of the mandate.