NAIROBI, May 29 -- The 480 km railway linking Kenya's largest port city Mombasa to capital Nairobi, slated to be officially launched on May 31, will be a key infrastructure project that will push forward the East Africa nation's modernization drive, a senior company executive said Monday.
"The launch of the standard gauge railway (SGR) will undoubtedly contribute to Kenya's economic and social development as well as improve people's livelihoods and lead the country to prosperity," said Chen Yun, Vice President of China Communications Construction Company, parent company of the China Road and Bridge Corporation which built the mega-project.
In an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of a ceremony held here in Nairobi for the release of the company's social responsibility report regarding the SGR project, Chen said that the company has endeavored to build the Kenya SGR project into a quality project that will endure the test of time.
"The Mombasa-Nairobi railway is also a way of cooperation, mutual benefits and prosperity," Chen said.
According to the report, the SGR project has created more than 46,000 jobs for the locals and the number of local workers who received training hit 45,000, gaining the much-needed skills and technical knowhow to help them grow. The SGR project is also estimated to be adding 1.5 percentage points to Kenya's GDP growth, a figure the Kenyan government reckons with.
As Africa strives for integration, Chen believed that Africa will continue to see the birth of many more railway projects on the continent.
He revealed that during a recent talk between him and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, the president said he would promote SGRs in the east Africa region so that the region can upgrade and renovate existing railways and enhance transport capacity.
Chen added that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes, will also provide immense opportunities for African countries, and companies involved.
体坛英语资讯:Australian Craig Lowndes, Mark Skaife win Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar race
体坛英语资讯:China crowns FIBA Asia U18 Championship
体坛英语资讯:Estonia stuns Serbia 3-1 in Euro 2012 qualifying
体坛英语资讯:Bayern extend contract with Louis van Gaal
体坛英语资讯:Petrova romps past local wildcard in China Open first round
体坛英语资讯:Sharapova eliminated at China Open
体坛英语资讯:Indian trade minister lashes out at critics of Commonwealth Games
体坛英语资讯:Michael Ballack postpones comeback
体坛英语资讯:Netherlands coach Van Marwijk: Nigel de Jong went too far
体坛英语资讯:Barcelona beat Lakers in NBA European tour
体坛英语资讯:Injury likely to sideline Rooney up to 3 weeks
体坛英语资讯:Clijsters to skip China Open
体坛英语资讯:Atletico-MG signs Dorival Junior as new head coach
体坛英语资讯:Guangzhou Asian Games flame lit at Great Wall
体坛英语资讯:Over 100,000 people apply to be London 2012 volunteers
体坛英语资讯:Vasco da Gama defeats Goias 3-2 in comeback win
体坛英语资讯:Brazil ease into semis after win over Germany
体坛英语资讯:Australias Melzer wins ITF Men s circuit final in Kampala
体坛英语资讯:Contador stresses innocence over dope test
体坛英语资讯:United held to goalless at Sunderland
体坛英语资讯:Cielo loses to fellow Brazilian Santos in 50m butterfly
体坛英语资讯:Injuries affect Del Bosque plans
体坛英语资讯:Brazil beats Iran 3-0 in soccer friendly
体坛英语资讯:South African rugby coach to be dismissed: report
体坛英语资讯:Soderling, Davydenko reach second round at China Open
体坛英语资讯:England to pull out of bidding for 2022 World Cup
体坛英语资讯:Forlan refuses to rule out move
体坛英语资讯:Germany, Netherlands seal wins in Euro 2012 qualifying
体坛英语资讯:Corinthians battles to 2-2 draw against Ceara
体坛英语资讯:AC Milan edge Parma thanks to Pirlos goal