eBusiness Weekly
BEIJING – Chinese conglomerate, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) on Tuesday said it had put together a comprehensive package plan for infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe.
CCCC, founded in 2005, is a Chinese government owned company which is involved in the design and construction of transport infrastructure and port machinery.
It is the largest port construction and design company in China and the third largest in the world, with annual revenue of over $50 billion.
Briefing visiting President Emmerson Mnangagwa after a tour of the company in Beijing, China, CCCC chairman Liu Qitao said the company would soon set up an office in Harare to follow through on the proposed plans.
“We have proposed a package of project plans for infrastructure development in Zimbabwe,” he said through an interpreter.
“We are capable of providing good services from planning, construction, investment, operation and maintenance.”
Liu said they were eager to be part of a new developmental trajectory in Zimbabwe.
He said some of the projects that CCCC was interested in included water supply infrastructure, rehabilitation of roads, bridges and building airports.
In response, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had a huge infrastructure gap that needed to be filled.
He said for example, most of the country’s road and rail networks needed upgrades while there was also need for a new Victoria Falls bridge across the Zambezi River.
“We are looking at the refurbishment of the internal (railway) network in the country and the creation of a new network in the country, and the second phase is the construction of a new network from our country across Mozambique to the North of Beira,” he said.
“We as a government and as an economy we do not have adequate resources to finance these projects but I believe that you can access funding and agree on how these projects can be funded in Zimbabwe.”
President Mnangagwa added: “After exposing to me and my delegation the things I have seen downstairs, I feel that this is the correct place I am and the ball is now in your court to come to Zimbabwe and partner with us.”
CCCC and the government of Zimbabwe then signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering areas of intended co-operation.
One of the flagship projects that CCCC has done in Africa is the Standard Gauge Railway line in Kenya, which connects the port city of Mombasa and the capital Nairobi.
The railway line, for passenger and cargo transportation, is 607 kilometres long and cuts the travelling distance between the two cities by at least six hours. – New Ziana
