China South Rail (CSR), the world’s largest manufacturer of electric locomotives, will establish its first Australian office in Victoria later this year.

 

The deal was secured after a meeting between Premier Ted Baillieu and Mr Tang Kelin, Executive Director and Vice President of China South Rail Limited, in Shanghai.

 

"CSR is going to establish its regional headquarters in Melbourne to co-ordinate business development in the region," Mr Tang Kelin said.

 

Mr Baillieu said the establishment of CSR's Australian, New Zealand and Pacific regional headquarters in Melbourne would represent an initial investment of around $5 million to Victoria and the creation of 20 new jobs.

 

"Importantly, securing the China South Rail's regional headquarters strengthens Victoria's reputation as a hub for transport and logistics industries," Mr Baillieu said.

 

CSR is a state-owned enterprise supervised by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. CSR has a total equity capital of approximately US$7 billion and has more than 80,000 employees distributed in 10 provinces and cities in China.