It is reported that Russian Railways will reduce its purchases of imported equipment by 15% to 20% as part of a program to support domestic production.

Russian Railways is continuing its policy of active support for Russian companies. The Company has considered the justification for procuring material and technical resources abroad in 2009 and analyzed the possibilities for switching to domestic components.

In Q1 of 2009, Russian Railways therefore reduced the purchase of foreign made chemical products by a factor of 3.6 compared to the same period last year, electrical products by 2.5 times, machinery by 3.8 times, spare parts for track maintenance equipment by 19% and materials for the upper track by 38%.

(Sourced from www.railwaymarket.eu)