Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation

Zimbabwe-China relations continue to grow, as evidenced by the unveiling of a multi-billion dollar road and rail infrastructure programme in the capital yesterday.

The government of Zimbabwe has partnered the China International Fund Consortium to construct, upgrade and maintain the country’s road and railway networks.

Speaking after meeting the Head of State ad Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe at State House, the President of the China Railways Corporation, Mr Zhao Guangfa said the implementation committee that was constituted following the signing of the MOU has successfully submitted its project proposal for funding.

“Under this programme, we hope following consultations and agreements by the Government of Zimbabwe and relevant stakeholders to build a modern railway line linking Harare and Bulawayo where a high-speed train will ply the route,” he added.

This will see commuters from Bulawayo to Harare take one and a half hours to travel between the two cities.

He however said this will involve the construction of a wide gauge railway line, a project that will be completed in less than three years.

Mr Zhao also said the China International Fund Consortium will upgrade the Beitbridge-Harare and the Harare-Chirundu highways. This, he said, will take less than a year.

Mr Zhao added that the National Railways of Zimbabwe will soon acquire rolling stocks and signals, while the consortium will undertake the rehabilitation of the country’s rail network as part of the agreement.

Meanwhile, 27 locomotives purchased in China by the Consortium are expected in the country around mid-next month.

The government of Zimbabwe was represented in signing the MOU by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development, Cde Nicolas Goche.

A number of memoranda of understanding were signed on the 23rd of August 2012 by the government of Zimbabwe with the China International Fund Consortium. Permanent secretaries of various ministries represented the government.

Comments (4)

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written by shepherd kutamahufa, September 17, 2012

We must just be carefull not to be colonised by these investers who have nothing in their minds but themselves. the east must come in and invest, they are welcome, but they must not bring us fake goods or build us structures that will last us less than three years please.we need things that last forever because temporary thing cost us.

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written by wamambo, September 15, 2012

investers are welcome. look east is great. Great world construction are done by these great Asian people. Let this be fruitful.

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written by terry, September 13, 2012

look east policy now benefiting us

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written by Talisman, September 13, 2012

I would like to commend the govt of Zimbabwe for partnering such a powerhouse like China in such big projects which will transform our economy in the near future.I would also like to encourage the Minister of transport and infrastructure development Cde Nicholas Goche to make sure that our local engineers and other relevant stakeholders are engaged at all levels during the construction of both the railway line and road to ensure that the work is done within acceptable timeframes not hurriedly and to international standards so that it will not endanger the lives of the ordinary Zimbabweans.This is a cause for concern since there are numerous reports of bridges and buildings said to have collapsed in China made by leading Chineese contractors.Pamberi nekushandira nyika yeZimbabwe!!!!

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