China Railway Group wins Astana metro

expat network

China Railway Group wins Astana metro

A joint venture between China Railway Group and Beijing State-Owned Assets Management, a Chinese state investment vehicle, has won the contract for Phase I of the Astana, Kazakhstan City Light Rail Transit (LRT) scheme.

The project comprises 22.4 km of track, 18 stations and one depot. It will be built to Chinese technical specifications and the rolling stock – comprising 19 vehicles – will also be supplied from China.

China Railway Group said the project is currently in the feasibility study phase. Work is expected to start within three months once financing arrangements have been put in place and the terms of the engineering procurement & construction (EPC) have been agreed.

The plan is to complete the scheme ahead of the Expo 2017 (World Fair), which is due to open in the city on June 10, 2017.

The value of the project was not disclosed.

Source and Link: KHL International

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.