Maravi

China gives govt US$53 million loan for mobile hospitals

China gives govt US$53 million loan for mobile hospitals
By Florence Bupe
Tue 03 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THE Government of China has given Zambia a 361 million yuan (approximately US $53 million) concessional loan for the construction of mobile hospitals in the country.

And Vice President George Kunda has appealed to the Zambian and Chinese governments to implement the various bilateral agreements that were signed during President Rupiah Banda’s state visit to that country in February his year.

Speaking when a visiting Chinese delegation met Vice President Kunda at State House yesterday, Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo disclosed that his country had given Zambia the loan as part of continued efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

“On his visit, China will again provide assistance to Zambia through a concessional loan worth 361 million yuan for the construction of mobile hospitals. China will also consider providing preferential export bias credit to support the project n the Mongu- Kalabo Road and the housing project for civil servants,” he said.

China has also given Zambia grant assistance totaling 30 million (about US $4.4 million) for the completion of already existing projects, including the construction of the Government Complex and stadium.

Dai pledged his country’s continued support to Zambia’s economic growth through the provision of technical and financial resources for various projects.
And Vice President Kunda said President Banda’s recent visit to China had provided an opportunity for Zambia to be in touch with prevailing economic trends for growth.

He said Zambia was one of China’s biggest investment destinations with a total investment injection of US $700 million so far.

“I would like to appeal to the governments of China and Zambia to quickly implement the various agreements that were signed during our President’s state visit t hat country in the areas of technical and economic support,” said Vice-President Kunda.

The Chinese delegation and Zambian government officials later held a closed door meeting with President Rupiah Banda, who was not part of the earlier meeting.
The closed door meeting was followed by the signing of four bilateral agreements which included economic and technical cooperation, the Framework on the provision of the concessional loan, the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the agreement for the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (UNZA).

Meanwhile, First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda appealed to China to continue providing assistance not only to Zambia, but also to Africa as a whole if sustainable development is to be attained.

This was when the Chinese delegation visited Dr Kaunda’s residence in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area.

Labels: CHINA, GEORGE KUNDA, MOBILE HOSPITALS

posted by MrK @ 3:53 AM