French energy and transportation giant Alsthom is keen to take part in the second-phase construction of Shanghai's Mingzhu suspended light rail project, company president Pierre Bilger said in a meeting with the acting city mayor yesterday.

Bilger said the company will offer competitive prices and "up-to-standard" quality gauges in the bidding. It is important for his company to take part, he added.

The first-phase of the 25-kilometer-long Mingzhu light rail, traversing mostly the outlying areas of this east China metropolis,has been in trial operation since late 2000.

Starting at Caohejing in Xuhui District and ending in the town of Jiangwan in Hongkou District, with 19 stops, it only takes one hour to traverse the city.

Upon completion in 2004, the second phase will cost 13 billion yuan (about US$1.6 billion) and cover 22 kilometers. The construction of the lines is a big bidding deal and the governmentwill play a fair competition among contenders, according to Chen Liangyu, the acting mayor.

Alsthom has so far set up three joint ventures in Shanghai.

( eastday.com January 24, 2002)