ADDIS ABABA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A foundation stone was laid on Saturday for the construction of a state-of-the-art convention and exhibition center, dubbed the Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Center (AAICEC) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
China's CGCOC Group, which boasts extensive experience in constructing international convention outside China, will be in charge of the construction.
The center, to be carried out with more than 3 billion Ethiopian birr (13o million U.S. dollars), will include a conference hall, exhibition centers, a five-star hotel, restaurants and business centers, among others.
Stating that various infrastructural development have been going on in the country, President Mulatu Teshome of Ethiopia noted on the occasion that the center would contribute to the development of the tourism sector in the country.
The project will be executed in three phases, and the first phase will be completed within three years.
The project, carried out with public-private partnership, is expected to have multi-faceted national significance, especially with regard to attracting various regional and international conferences and exhibitions.
It is also expected to play a great role in creating market opportunities for service sectors in the country, especially for Ethiopian Airlines, hotels and restaurants, transport services, tour and travel agencies, cultural centers and souvenir and artifacts producers among others.
Reiterating that CGCOC Group has ample experience in carrying out mega projects in different parts of the world, La Yifan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, expressed his firm belief that the company would accomplish the project successfully. Enditem
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