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NAIROBI. — China and Kenya signed a co-financing deal on Sunday to build a railway linking Nairobi to Mombasa, a critical infrastructure project to boost regional trade and deepen integration in East Africa. Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, together with presidents of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan as well as representatives from Tanzania, Burundi and the African Development Bank, witnessed the signing of the agreement.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Li said the presence of the African leaders and their representatives demonstrated African countries’ common desire to develop railway network in East Africa.
A country has to improve transportation infrastructure before its economy takes off, Li said, adding that China is ready to share its technology and experience in railway construction with all parties and cooperate with them in project design, construction, equipment, management, personnel training and financing.
The premier said interconnection in East Africa and in Africa at large will fundamentally boost economic development of African countries.
During his Africa tour, Li had said that China is willing to join hands with Africa to build the continent’s networks of high-speed railway, express way and regional aviation. The Mombasa-Nairobi railway is an important part of those networks, he said.
China will improve communication and coordination with countries concerned and the African Union (AU), and at the same time welcome the participation of a third party so as to realize mutual benefits and win-win results, he said.
The East African leaders said at the ceremony that the Mombasa-Nairobi railway will increase transport capacity of East African countries, accelerate interconnection and regional integration of East Africa and boost East African countries’ economic development. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter