Skoda wishes to set up Metro coach unit in India

Czech Republic automobile major Skoda is looking to expand presence in India and exploring possibilities for setting up a manufacturing unit for Metro coaches in the country.

The Czech Ambassador in India Miloslav Stasek said this at an interaction with engineering exporters' body EEPC India.

"Skoda Transportation is exploring different locations (for the metro coach facility) and is close to making a decision," Stasek said, according to a release by EEPC India.

"Skoda is already supplying coaches to Delhi Metro, but would like to manufacture them within India as several Indian cities like Jaipur, Cochin, Bangalore, Lucknow and Mumbai have embarked upon the metro projects," Stasek added.

He said the Czech integrated transport companies which are very strong in the railways sector, would aggressively participate in some of the upcoming projects in India like the High Speed Railway Corridor.

"India is moving in this direction and we are in discussion with the Railway Board with offer of strategic partnership," Stasek said.

On dealings with Indian and Chinese suppliers, the Ambassador said: "For us, India is a traditional market. We have a history of relationship. There are no language barriers. China is quite different with language being a problem."

Expressing high hopes from the new Indian government, to be in place after mid-May following the general elections, Stasek said Czech investors would expect a lot more clarity in the area of taxes, and other policies.

"We want to achieve the USD 2 billion trade target with India in 2015 and increase mutual investments in the areas of science and technology besides the engineering industry," he said.