China approves K950 billion projects
The Chinese government has endorsed new projects worth $1.7 billion (about K950 billion) that will be implemented in Malawi.
This follows a meeting President Peter Mutharika had with Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqian, last month on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Dalian.
He said Minister of Industry and Trade Joseph Mwanamveka had other meetings between October 10 and 12, 2015 in Beijing, with a team of experts on seven priority projects government had submitted to the Chinese Government.
“Cabinet ministers, members of the press, the purpose of this meeting is to inform the nation the outcome of the discussions that were held in China with officials from the Ministry of Commerce, EXIM Bank of China and China Gezhouba Group Company Limited. I wish to inform you that the Chinese Government approved for immediate implementation three projects,” Mutharika said.
According to Mutharika, the approved projects include 300 Megawatt Kam’mwamba Coal- Fired Power Plant (US$667.2 million), National Identity Project (US$50 million) and Chileka International Airport project (US$285. 4 Million).
The President said four projects are subject to further review. These include 140 km Tsangano – Neno – Mwanza Road (US$169.4 million) and 129.5 Km Mangochi – Makanjira Road (US$151.7 million).
Others are the Upgrading of the Phombeya – Makanjira– Nkhotakota – Chatoloma 220 KV Power Line (US$189,298,285.00) and the Lilongwe Dual Carriage Way from Kanengo – Mchinji Roundabout on the M1 Road ( US$45 million).
“A team of experts will be visiting Malawi before the end of December this year to discuss the technical aspects with their counterparts,” Mutharika said.
Mutharika also said following the discussions that took place in China, the Chinese Government agreed to disburse two grants.
The first grant comprises construction of the Blantyre District Hospital and Cancer Centre in Blantyre at Kameza (US$23 million), and Procurement of police vehicles for the Malawi Police Service (US$2 million).
The second grant, among others, includes construction of a Technical Teacher Training College (US$5 million), support for technical services for the Bingu National Stadium (US$1 million) and construction of a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building amounting (US$3 million).
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qingyang said the development is an indication of the growing ties with Malawi.
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