The SNCB “century” contract “attributed to a manufacturer … Spanish:” fewer jobs “and” very few economic benefits “for Belgium

The renewal of the SNCB fleet will finally be attributed to a Spanish manufacturer, to the detriment of Alstom, installed in Belgium. In addition, The Minister of Mobility said, however, that there would be economic benefits from us. However, What we wanted to check.

It is already nicknamed “the rail contract of the century”. Therefore, 600 new trains and potentially up to more than 3 billion euros of budget. For example, The SNCB confirmed on Wednesday the choice of the Spanish manufacturer CAF for the supply of these trains. Consequently, But then, what can our country really get from it? Moreover, The federal mobility minister, in charge of the file, is a little more careful today. Consequently, “It’s not my job,” says sncb “century” contract “attributed manufacturer Jean-Luc Crucke (committed). It is the job of the industry that has been chosen. management to see how we can best develop the employment and expertise that we know in Belgium in this area ”.

No certainty therefore, the time is still for negotiations between the manufacturer and the SNCB. And for economist Bruno Colmant, the potential economic benefits from us are far from guaranteed. “We are talking about a market of more than 3 billion euros. which is gigantic, it represents almost a half-power of the gross domestic product, so that means that in medium sncb “century” contract “attributed manufacturer term, certainly, there will be fewer jobs that will be created in Belgium and these jobs will be created in Spain”.

One of the options would be to produce or assemble certain parts with us. This is the case for Stib. The metros of the Brussels transport company are manufactured by the Spanish manufacturer CAF. They are then assembled in Belgium. In its offer for the SNCB, CAF has once again committed to working with a Belgian partner. But then again, it’s not that simple. “I believe that there will be very few economic benefits. since in fact, it will disqualify a Belgian producer, insists Bruno Colmant. And even if the Spanish producer implements some manufacturing in Belgium. it will never sncb “century” contract “attributed manufacturer compensate for the loss for the Belgian employment market of all those who will be destroyed by the choice that the SNCB made ”.

Everything will depend on the exact clauses of the contract. For the moment, the Spaniard CAF is considered to be preferential tenderer. Appeals can still be brought before the final award of the contract.