SINGAPORE - The Land Transport Authority (LTA) signed a memorandum of understanding with German firm Deutsche Bahn Engineering & Consulting (DB E&C) on Friday (Oct 21) to exchange rail engineering knowledge.

Rail engineering firm DB E&C and the LTA will share information and co-operate in areas such as asset management, customer services and operation and maintenance.

Both organisations may also exchange staff for studies and project work. They may also collaborate on projects related to the High Speed Rail between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, which is expected to be ready by 2026.

Mr Simon Giovanazzi, DB E&C Asia Pacific executive director, said: "With our technically sophisticated and customised infrastructure, mobility and transport solutions, we are looking forward to adding value to LTA's projects, and contributing to Singapore's railway development."

The collaboration is part of the authority's efforts to work together with other organisations and research institutes to improve the rail network here.

"This MOU signing is part of plans to continue developing our engineers' professional competencies and capabilities," said Mr Chua Chong Kheng, LTA's deputy chief executive for infrastructure & development.

"There are common challenges across rail industries in both countries and we can learn as well as exchange experience in optimising manpower, processes and technologies, and this collective knowledge will then lead to improvements in practices for rail development across both countries."