Alstom signs 200-mln-euro train deal with Algeria

French transport facility manufacturer Alstom on Wednesday announced a business deal worth 200 million euros (about 222 million U.S. dollars) to supply 17 Coradia Polyvalent inter-city trains to Algeria.

Alstom's new project is part of the north African country's plan to modernize and extend its networks by linking the capital Algiers to other cities such as Oran, Annaba, Constantine and Bechar, it said.

It plans to provide the first train in January 2018, the group added.

"Already adopted by SNCF and the French regions since 2009, Coradia Polyvalent is the ideal choice to meet Algeria's transport needs," said Gian-Luca Erbacci, Senior Vice-President of Alstom Transport in the Middle East and Africa.

"Algerian passengers can be sure that they are traveling on trains with the latest technical innovations, combining comfort, performance and protection of the environment," said Erbacci.

Alstom employs over 96,000 workers in more than 70 countries. It posted 20.26 billion euros of sales in the 2013-2014 fiscal year. (1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollars) Endit