European transport technology company Škoda Group says it hopes to join urban rail projects in Vietnam

【Hanoi, Vietnam=Correspondent Kim Joon-seok】Škoda Group, a major European transport technology company, said it hopes to expand cooperation with Vietnam in the rail, urban rail and public transport sectors, from equipment supply to technology transfer.
According to local media on the 24th, Nguyen Zanh Huy, vice minister of construction, met in Hanoi on the 21st with Petr Novotny, chairman and CEO of Škoda Group, Nguyen An Tuan, chairman of Tan Cong Group, and other representatives of the Škoda-Tan Cong consortium to discuss ways to develop Vietnam's rail, urban rail, public transport and rail industry sectors.
Novotny said, "Škoda Group has extensive experience successfully carrying out rail and public transport projects in many countries around the world." He added, "Škoda Group has the capability to provide technical services across the entire product lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to assembly, long-term maintenance and support." He also emphasized that the company has a broad business portfolio covering "metro, tram, suburban and intercity rail, locomotives, electric multiple units (EMU), trolleybuses, electric buses, and signaling and train control systems."
Novotny said he hopes cooperation with Vietnam will go beyond simple equipment and vehicle deliveries and lead to phased technology transfer, stronger local production capacity and the development of the parts and materials industry. Drawing on its successful experience transferring technologies such as parts manufacturing, safety equipment and control systems in several countries, the company aims to offer a cooperation model tailored to Vietnam's development needs.
Škoda Group also said it will actively cooperate in expanding training and education programs for rail and automotive specialists that meet Škoda standards and international requirements.
Škoda Group and Tan Cong Group are currently seeking opportunities to participate in rail, urban rail and public transport projects in Vietnam, while also exploring cooperation in local vehicle production and assembly, maintenance, control software development, workforce training, parts localization and technology transfer.
In response, Vice Minister Huy said, "Vietnam is currently actively promoting the development of railways, urban rail and related industries, and has a strong interest in introducing core technologies, maintenance know-how, raising the localization rate and training personnel." He added that Vietnam welcomes at any time cooperation proposals from Škoda Group and its Czech partners on technology transfer, vehicle production and assembly, maintenance, control software and talent development.
Huy praised the consortium's proposed cooperation model centered on technology transfer and localization, adding, "This is a highly meaningful approach that aligns with the country's policy direction of strengthening Vietnam's own rail industry capabilities."
[email protected] Kim Joon-seok Reporter