Numerous big investors have shown their interest in joining nationalrailway projects, Vu Ta Tung, General Director of Vietnam Railways (VNR)was quoted as saying by Giao Thong (Transport) newspaper.

Among them are the Railway Trade and Transportation Company (Ratraco)and the Railway Logistics Company (ITL) who have demonstrated interestin the project on upgrading the goods depot for the Yen Vien station inHanoi.

ITL Director Bui Quang Lien expressed thecompany’s interest in investing in building a logistics centre for theYen Vien station, saying the ITL has submitted a proposal to the VNR andis awaiting approval.

He also stressed the need forthe application of technology in railway transportation to improveservices and ease the freight-load on road transport.

Meanwhile, General Director of the Deo Ca Investment Joint Stock CompanyHo Minh Hoang said his company targets to invest in several railwayprojects, including the Hanoi-Hai Phong railway or the Yen Vien-PhaLai-Ha Long-Cai Lan railway.

He also suggested theprivate-public partnership (PPP) model be applied in implementingprojects on infrastructure and public services which require substantialinvestment with delayed returns.

The Ministry ofTransport has approved the project proposal on inviting social resourcesfor upgrades to 12 railways and the construction of five new ones.

The projects will be initiated under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) or PPP investment form.-VNA