ALSTOM SIGNS AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP SKOLKOVO TECHNOLOGY CITY IN RUSSIA

SINGAPORE, March 3 (Bernama) -- Alstom, a world leader in transport
infrastructure, power generation and transmission has signed a partnership agreement concerning the development of the Skolkovo technology city, often labelled Russia's "Silicon Valley".

In a statement here, Alston said the agreement was signed in Paris Wednesday between Patrick Kron, Chief Executive of Alstom, and Victor Vekselberg, President of the Skolkovo Foundation.

In early 2010, the Russian government unveiled plans to build a
state-of-the-art science and technology city in Skolkovo, to the west of Moscow.

The city will focus on promoting new technology such as energy efficiency, nuclear power, space and telecommunications, medical and pharmaceutical equipment, and information technology.

The agreement signed by Alstom covers multi-faceted cooperation.

Alstom is ready to participate in building key infrastructure for the new "city", including urban transport, power generation, and electricity management services, the statement said.

The company will also bring its research and development (R&D) expertise to activities set up in Skolkovo, spanning areas such as railway signalling and information systems, energy efficiency for power plants, and smart grids.

All aspects of the partnership would involve close ties with Alstom's industrial partners in Russia, including rail equipment maker TMH, hydro-generating company Rushydro, power utility InterRAO and national grid operator FSK UES.

Partnerships with Russian universities are also pending.