EBRD lends up to 50 mln euro to Macedonian railway operator for new rolling stock

The 15-year EBRD loan, backed by a sovereign guarantee, is aimed for the purchase of six new passenger trains and 150 rail wagons, as well as for the rehabilitation of three electric locomotives, the EBRD said in a statement.

It will also finance energy efficiency improvements to the Macedonian railway operator's maintenance workshop and the introduction of a company-wide energy management system.

MRT’s rail service, which covers a network of some 700 kilometres, has received very little investment since the early 1990s. The average age of its current rolling stock is 30-45 years.

The EBRD has so far invested over 1.0 billion euro in about 80 projects in Macedonia.

($=0.7740 euro)