Kenya launches upgraded depot to ease bulk cargo transport -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on December 16 launched the upgraded Inland Container Depot (ICD) on the outskirts of Kenyan capital Nairobi to promote efficient transportation of bulk cargo from the port of Mombasa to the interior. The state-of-the-art inland cargo handling facility that was upgraded by the China Roads and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is expected to decongest the port of Mombasa while lowering the cost of transporting goods. Kenyatta said the launch of the ICD was in line with his government's quest to modernize transport infrastructure in order to stimulate economic growth.
Chinese firm wins work on US project -- A Chinese construction company is among those that will work on a 1.81 billion U.S. dollar project for new third track on the main line of New York's Long Island Rail Road, the US' busiest regional rail system. The Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees the railroad, approved a contract on Dec 13 with 3rd Track Constructors for the 9.8 miles of new track for the rail system east of New York City. CCA Civil Inc, a unit of China Construction America, is one of several companies that have joined 3rd Track Constructors on the project. The others are Dragados USA Inc, John P. Picone Inc and Halmar International LLC. (Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
Macau port of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge ready for traffic -- The Macau port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is among the first of the key projects of the bridge ready for traffic after a lighting ceremony Dec 18. The Macau port is a custom port connecting the three cities, with the largest area taking up 658 square kilometers among the three regions. It is located on an artificial island neighboring Macao, with a southwestern road to Macao and northeastern road to Hong Kong. Currently the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is in its final phase and expected be completed by the end of the year. (Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
Minmetals Land announces long-term apartment project -- Minmetals Land, the real estate arm of China Minmetals Corporation, will kick off its first apartment project for long-term rent next year. As a new channel to address housing difficulties for young staff, apartments for long-term rent attracted an increasing number of property developers. Industry insiders said the number of such apartments accounted for two to three percent of the country's rental market, while the proportion in the developed market usually hovers around 20 to 30 percent, indicating huge growth potential. (Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Long Term plan launched in Pakistan -- A long-term plan for the development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was launched in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Dec. 18. The plan connects China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Pakistan’s development plan “Vision 2025” and it's aimed at guiding construction of the CPEC and promoting coordinated development of the two countries. The plan defines several key nodes along the CPEC, which starts from Kashgar of Xinjiang, China to the coastal cities Karachi and Gwadar in south Pakistan, and specifies principles, key cooperation areas, investment and financing mechanisms and supporting measures the corridor construction.
China, Laos commit to corruption-free railway project -- Chinese and Lao companies participating in a transnational railway project on Dec. 20 said they will abide by rules and a code of conduct to ensure the project will not be tainted by corruption. A pledge was signed by the companies, and employees attending the ceremony took a collective vow against corruption. The companies said they will draft specific measures to stamp out malpractice at every phase of the project, from procurement and construction to operation management. They will enhance the exchange of information and severely punish those found to take or offer bribes. Work on the China-Laos railway, with a cost of 37.43 billion yuan (around 5.7 billion U.S. dollars), began in December last year.
Thai cabinet agrees to start construction of Thailand-China railway -- Thai cabinet on Dec. 19 approved an agreement to start the construction of the first phase of Thailand-China railway on Dec. 21, according to Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. The cabinet also approved the Department of Highways of the Thai Transport Ministry to build the first 3.5-kilometer section, the minister said. The first 3.5 km section is located between two current railway stations, Klang Dong and Pang Asok in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Thanin added that the construction would be a great chance for both Thai and Chinese engineers to learn together. A ground breaking ceremony is set to be held there on Dec. 21, while the second section of 11 km, the third of 119.5 km and the fourth of 119 km are to open for bidding later. Arkhom said that Thailand and China had begun to discuss the second phase.
China to set up 50 bln yuan funds to support B&R projects in ASEAN, Guangxi -- China will set up funds totaling 50 billion yuan (7.6 billion U.S. dollars) to invest in Belt and Road (B&R) projects in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and ASEAN countries. The funds will be established jointly by an investment arm of China's policy bank China Development Bank (CDB) and Guangxi Investment Group. They will be used to support infrastructure and industrial projects along the B&R, according to the CDB.
Pulp mill built by Chinese firm in Belarus starts operation -- A large pulp mill constructed by China CAMC Engineering Co., Ltd. (CAMCE) in Belarus has recently gone into official operation. Located in Svetlogorsk, Gomel Region, the mill is the largest single EPC project accomplished by China and Belarus with a designed annual output of 400,000 tons of pulp. Total investment on the project exceeded 800 million U.S. dollars. The Export-Import Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China provided 85 percent of loans to the Belarusian side in the way of export buyer's credit. The mill is expected to earn foreign exchange of nearly 400 million U.S. dollars for Belarus annually and create 1,000 jobs for locals.
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