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Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali, Rwanda, on July 23, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] |
POWERCHINA signed a loan agreement for its road reconstruction project during President Xi Jinping's first state visit to Rwanda.
On July 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Rwandan President Paul Kagame witnessed the signing of multiple documents under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other related issues.
Reconstruction of the Huye-Kibeho-Ngoma/Munini Road (66 kilometers) undertaken by POWERCHINA was among the list.
With Rwanda actively implementing its Vision 2020 Umurenge Program, the mega-project is a priority among priorities for the government to achieve its second phase target.
The existing gravel road running through the southern province of Rwanda can no longer support regional development for its little drainability, insufficient width and aging of bridges.
POWERCHINA's construction team will, for example, repave the highway with asphalt for a pleasing driving experience. Upon completion, the new road will be part and parcel to a reliable transportation network, connecting villages and towns along the route and bringing local residents a better life.
Prior to the signing ceremony, the two heads of state hailed the growth of bilateral ties over the past 47 years and agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation in a bid to bring concrete benefits to the Chinese people, the Rwandan people and the African people.
China and Rwanda, Xi stressed, should view their ties from a strategic height and strengthen the link between their respective development strategies, give full play to their complementary advantages, and carry out pragmatic cooperation in more areas and at deeper levels.
Beijing is willing to work with Kigali to translate their traditional friendship into concrete benefits for the two countries and the two peoples, and open a new chapter in their friendly cooperative relations, said Xi.
After the meeting, Liang Jun, deputy manager of POWERCHINA International, and Zhang Yufu, manager of STECOL Corporation, a Tianjing-based subsidiary of POWERCHINA, wished the bilateral ties a brighter outlook and African people a prosperous future under BRI.
Since March 2013, POWERCHINA has constructed seven infrastructural projects, including government facilities, water conservation, national highways and hydropower stations in Rwanda.
The company used to broaden and upgrade the Nyagatare-Kibungo Highway, an international main road connecting Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. In June 6, POWERCHINA undertook the Nyabarongo II Power Station project with the biggest contract in Rwanda's history.
Also, the company is offering employment for local residents, with around 870 local workers currently employed -- a figure that is expected to rise to 3,000 once construction reaches its peak.
Many of the jobs will include training sessions, enabling employees to advance to more skilled positions, such as equipment operators.
POWERCHINA's remarkable contributions to Rwanda have won Chinese enterprises the trust and praise from local people.
