But doesn’t say when it’s coming, or where it will be
João Galamba, Portugal’s minister for infrastructure has announced the creation of “at least one” new factory to build CP trains, which will create 1,000 jobs, as well as “a new chapter for national ports” with legislative reform in the sector.
Speaking at a regular hearing in the parliamentary commission for Economy, Public Works, Planning and Housing in Lisbon, Mr Galamba highlighted the “investments in the area of recuperation of rolling stock and acquisition of new trains”, saying that “CP will expand its fleet with 117 new trains, ensuring at least one new factory in Portugal“.
Asked about this new factory, the minister said that “in the best case scenario, there will be a factory, but there could be more“.
“The question was asked by socialist deputy Hugo Costa, who pointed out that the new factory for the railway sector may generate 1,000 jobs”, writes Lusa.
For João Galamba, the railway “is a way to industrialise the country“, defending the creation of initiatives that “translate into investment” as long as in articulation with the existing units.
At the hearing, the minister also announced that the government was “finalising a package of measures that will start a new chapter for national ports,” which will include legislative reform to simplify rules, define strategic lines, change the term limit of port concessions, promoting professional development and reviewing the model of port governance.
“Taking into account that Portugal is preparing to be a major producer of hydrogen and its derivatives – ammonia and methanol – and synthetic fuels such as jet fuel, national ports can become one of the main platforms for bunkering (supply) in Europe,” he said, stressing that it is “urgent that the sector quickly incorporate responses and measures taking into account the effects and impact of the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, focusing on strengthening industrialisation”.
Pointing out that “Portugal benefits from natural conditions and a unique geo-strategic position which should be taken even more advantage of”, João Galamba said that “this is the way forward” to “reduce external dependence and increase exports“.
The current legal framework for the national port system was created in the 1990s and has remained unchanged.
LUSA
