THE Cuban Ministry of Finance has confirmed funding for 240 new passenger coaches per year in a bid to upgrade the country's railways.

Rolls-Royce, Britain, and China Yuchai International subsidiary Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company (GYMC) have formed a 50:50 joint venture for the production of MTU diesel engines under licence in China. Both parties will invest RMB 75 million ($US 11.4m) in the joint venture.

With domestic economic growth slowing, China is aiming to boost exports from its rapidly developing technological sector, including rail. Kevin Smith looks at what 2016 might have in store for China and its impact on the railway landscape in east Asia.

INNOVATION is the key to success as it will improve our competitiveness by providing leading-edge technologies. We have to make sure we are always one step ahead of others when it comes to technology and know-how - especially in the areas of energy efficiency, productivity/throughput, asset utilisation, improvements in infrastructure and rolling stock availability, travel experience for passengers, and, last but not least, climate and environmental friendliness.

THE slowdown in China's economic growth has translated into a significant year-on-year decline in rail freight volumes, according to official data released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on January 26.

WITH Hong Kong's public transport operator MTR preparing to open the latest additions to its metro network, the 2.6km Kwun Tong extension and the 7km South Island Line, 2016 is set to be another big year for the company.

ONE year on from the merger of French National Railways (SNCF) and infrastructure owner French Rail Network (RFF) into a single organisation with SNCF Mobility as the operator and SNCF Network the infrastructure manager, SNCF president Mr Guillaume Pepy says work is progressing to transform SNCF into an international transport group.

INDONESIA's president Mr Joko Widodo attended a groundbreaking ceremony in the west Javan town of Walini on January 21 to mark the start of construction of the country's first high-speed railway linking Jakarta with Bandung.

THE European rail supply industry is a diverse and geographically-widespread industry comprising thousands of SMEs and major industrial champions. Employing around 400,000 people throughout the European Union (EU) and with absolute sales of €47bn per annum, it accounts for 46% of the global accessible market for rail products.

CHINA Railways Corporation (CRC) announced on January 17 that it has set itself a fixed asset investment target of Yuan 800bn ($US 121.6bn) for the third consecutive year.