Dr. Nayebzadeh's interview with Shana is as follows:
How does Siemens see Iran’s rail sector?
Iran has a very mature existing rail infrastructure and there is also already a workforce with many years of experience in the sector. The country is witnessing significant population and industrialization growth and to accommodate this - and the need to be more environmentally conscious - Iran is developing a larger, smarter, more modern and efficient rail system.
Mobility is a key driver of economic growth and the development of increasingly large cities, coupled with the Iran’s geographic size, is creating the need for high-speed intercity travel. Some of this demand will be catered for with new lines, and there is also great potential to apply technology for the modification and upgrade of existing infrastructure, to bring it in line with modern standards of speed and efficiency. Of course this will also need to be linked to a sophisticated urban rail network, and together this will form the backbone of a modern, efficient and reliable rail system in Iran.
With an increasing emphasis on industrialization it is also important that the country’s rail network develops in a way which allows it to be flexible, in order to cope with the different challenges of transporting passengers and freight.
How is Siemens positioned to support?
We already have a long history of providing technology to Iran’s rail sector, having delivered more than 100 locomotives to the fleet, and this week we launched a tailored concept for a locomotive designed with the Iranian market in mind. We are committed to advancing society and making a positive difference to the lives of people in Iran, using innovation, local knowledge and global ingenuity to develop a diverse, fast, modern, efficient and reliable rail network.
We have made available our full mobility portfolio to Iran, which addresses all the requirements of Iran’s future transport network with technology for urban, high-speed intercity and freight rail. We will be showcasing this technology at the Iran Rail Expo 2016 from 15 to 18th May, and our offering includes locomotives and metros, rolling stock, service, electrification and automation technology. With an emphasis on efficient and sustainable electric rail, Siemens’ portfolio addresses the requirements for both new infrastructure development and also the modernization and upgrading of existing networks.
Our Mobility Consulting Division is also present in Iran, and able to play a key role in the expansion and modernization of the rail network by developing strategies and integrated concepts to address the transportation challenges of policy makers, transport operators and other mobility stakeholders in Iran.
Which other sectors do you see Siemens supporting in Iran?
Siemens has a comprehensive portfolio across the electrification, automation and digitalization sectors, providing technology for power generation, transmission and distribution, rail and road networks, smart building technology for intelligent city infrastructure and digital automation technology for highly productive manufacturing and industry.
At the moment we are chiefly focused on the development of Iran’s mobility and power infrastructure, but there is of course great opportunity for us in other sectors including smart cities and industrial and manufacturing, and we have the on-ground presence to develop these. We also have excellent local connections, such as our partnership with MAPNA, which will allow us to be closer to our customers and better accommodate their needs.
It is also our intention to continue to be a good corporate citizen in Iran. We have maintained a significant operational and service presence in Iran, we know the country and we understand the needs of our customers and society. We believe that our contribution to the country’s sustainable development should go beyond technology and infrastructure. We place great emphasis on the creation of local jobs, education and training to ensure that the knowledge, expertise and ingenuity Iran needs to build its future is available in the local market.
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