Railway transport is the main artery of China's economic development. Over a century of development, China railway equipment industry is self-sufficient in general railway production and has developed an independent production system meeting the needs of railways and characterized by multiple types and varieties. All kinds of locomotives, vehicles, equipment, bridges, communication signals, concrete sleepers and loading & unloading machinery, track maintenance equipment and construction machinery can be produced, and some of these products are exported.

Sales Growth Rate of China Railway Equipment Manufacturing, 2001-2008

 
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Since 4Q 2008, railway sector has played an important role in stimulating domestic demand by railway construction in accordance with the deployment of the central government. It completed the investment of RMB416.847 billion in 2008, up 61.5% from the same period of last year. In 2009, China's railway construction projects are scheduled to invest RMB600 billion. In the previous 8 months, the accomplished investment was up to RMB332.434 billion, with an increase of 95.8% against the same period of last year.

The latest railway equipment procurement plan made in 2008 stipulated RMB500 billion for 2009 to 2012 and RMB125 billion for each year from 2009 to 2012. Considering the development of passenger and freight transport as well as the production of new railways, China plans to spend RMB300 billion on locomotives in 2009 and 2010. The market of railway locomotives will be sized by RMB200 billion.

Starting from 2003, railway equipment investment will stabilize at a high level. High-speed EMUs, high power locomotives and metro rail vehicles have the most significant growth prospect.

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