PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC):

Government has signed a TT$190 million (US$30 million) deal with a foreign consortium known as Trinitrain for carrying through the first phase of a rail system here.

Speaking during Friday's signing ceremony at the Hilton Trinidad hotel, Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert said the contract provides for government not to proceed with the contract in certain circumstances.

the first phase

The project would see the re-introduction of a rail system from the capital, Port-of-Spain, to Diego Martin in the west and to Curepe in the east and Chaguanas in central Trinidad, initially. The first phase, which involves design and planning, is expected to be completed by the end of next year.