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Senegalese president hails China-funded modern railway in Kenya

Xinhua, August 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Senegalese President Macky Sall on Monday gave a strong endorsement of China-funded Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Kenya's port city of Mombasa to the capital, Nairobi.

Sall who toured the construction site of the SGR project on the outskirts of Nairobi accompanied by several cabinet members said the mega infrastructure project dovetailed with Africa's socio-economic transformation agenda.

"China has made significant contribution to Africa's economic progress through infrastructure development. We need roads, railway lines, bridges and power plants to realize growth," Sall said.

Senior Kenyan officials and Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Liu Xianfa joined the Senegalese president during his tour to assess progress in the implementation of the SGR project.

Executives from China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) that is implementing the 472 kilometer high speed railway were also in the trip.

African countries are keen on partnership with China in diverse areas like trade, infrastructure development, establishment of industrial parks and technology transfer.

Sall noted that the China-funded modern railway that will eventually link Kenya to neighboring countries is an inspiration to other African countries that are aspiring to leapfrog.

"I am happy with the progress of the SGR project's implementation which is in line with a continental vision of developing major infrastructure projects to boost trade, integration and industrialization," said Sall.

He added that the SGR project is an excellent model of China-Africa cooperation in modernization of transport infrastructure.

Sall told reporters that he will present Africa's common position to the gathering of leaders from major economies during the upcoming G20 summit to be held in east China's Hangzhou city in September.

He reiterated that Africa is looking for strategic partnerships rather than foreign aid to catapult it to the next frontier of socio-economic progress. Endit