China, Sudan sign $700m loan for new Khartoum airport

December 16, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan and China officially signed a $700 million loan agreement on Tuesday to fund the construction of the New Khartoum International Airport.

The Sudanese authorities plan to offer regional and international services, as the new airport will have two 4,000 metre runways capable of handling large air-planes.

The official news agency SUNA said the agreement was signed in Chinese capital Beijing by the Sudanese finance minister Abdelrahman Dirar and Ms Liang Xiang, the Export and Import Bank of China (EXIM) governor’s assistant on Tuesday.

EXIM will fund the new airport terminal through a 20-year loan with a five year grace period, and 2.5% annual interest.

The terminal will be built during 40 months by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). 40% of the construction works will be implemented by Sudanese companies.

A new 300-room hotel will be also part of this airport, which is located at 40 km from Khartoum city.

Sudan hopes that this airport will increase the exportation of Sudanese goods to the Gulf countries and Africa.

China is the biggest investor and buyer of Sudanese oil.

(ST)