REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, LONDON -- The Indonesian government will follow up on Senegal's proposal to procure trains from PT. Inka that was discussed during a meeting between Indonesia's deputy foreign affairs minister and the Senegalese railway minister in July 2017.
"Indonesia needs to follow up on this proposal before it is grabbed by other countries, such as China, France, and Turkey, which have built express trains," Indonesian Ambassador to Senegal Mansyur Pangeran noted in a statement received by Antara here on Friday.
Ambassador Pangeran expressed hope that the Senegalese government would immediately purchase trains manufactured by PT. Inka.
"The embassy is ready to help communicate further with relevant agencies to speed up the purchase process," he remarked.
Ambassador Pangeran also invited the management of PT. Inka to Dakar to evaluate the potential of railways in Senegal and the surrounding countries.
President Director of PT. Inka Agus Purnomo responded positively to Senegal's interest in procuring trains, and the company is currently reviewing the purchase mechanism.
Purnomo said Asia and Africa are the main target markets of PT. Inka. The company offers competitive prices as compared to those from other developed countries.
Senegal is keen to procure trains in a bid to support its grand design to build a 750-kilometer-long rail network that will connect the three provinces of Dakar, St. Louis, and Tambacounda.