General Electric has signed a new long-term technology transfer and training contract with ZKMK, Kazahstan's leading precision engineering plant operator.

Under the terms of the agreement, ZKMK will undertake repair work on all of GE's turbomachinery installed in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asia region, including equipment in Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

Commenting on the deal, Claudi Santiago, president and chief executive of GE Oil and Gas, said the agreement expands the group's commitment to company-to-country localisation commitment, promoting training and employment opportunities for Kazakh workers.

As part of the extensive deal, GE will be responsible for the provision of training to support a world-class localised services operation.

"Together with GE, we are pleased to be able to support the local Kazakhstan economy through the development of local skills, training and technical expertise on a sustainable basis," added Alibi Akhmedzhanov, general director of ZKMK.

GE has also this month signed a landmark technology deal with BHEL of India.

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