ArmInfo.Chinese scientists discuss prospects for cooperation with Armenia. This was reported on December 14 at a meeting of the general director of the State Non-Commercial Organization for the implementation of transport programs Vazgen Petrosyan with a group of Chinese scientists.
As the State Non-Commercial Organization's representatives told ArmInfo the guests informed about their intentions to explore opportunities and areas of cooperation with Armenian partners.
The Chinese side was presented work carried out as part of the North-South transport corridor construction program. Vazgen Petrosyan noted that the Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation, in the framework of the third tranche of the credit program, is constructing a section of the Talin-Lanjik and Lanjik-Gyumri highway. The CEO expressed the hope that other Chinese construction companies with experience in building bridges and tunnels would be interested in building other sections of the road.
To recall on November 12, Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Tian Erlong, during the meeting of the Acting Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technologies of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan, announced the readiness of the Chinese company to take part in the construction of the section of the road from Kajaran to Agarak in the fourth tranche, and not only in a builder but a lender. According to him, the Chinese company is open to cooperation in any format. To note, The North-South 556km highway will be laid via the Armenian towns of Meghri- Kapan-Goris-Yerevan- Ashtarak- Gyumri-Bavra and enter the territory of Georgia on Akhaltsikhe-Batumi section, which will settle some transport problems of Armenia. This will be a four-lane motorway of reinforced concrete extending from the Armenian border and Iran to the Georgian port Batumi. The road corridor will facilitate improving the road connection with the two neighbors of Armenia: Iran and Georgia, providing access to international trade routes and markets. Armenia raised $500mln loan from the Asian Development Bank for the project that is estimated at $1 billion. Eurasian Development Bank is ready to provide $150 million. Armenia raised $60 million from the European investment Bank. Due to the project, the overland communication Europe-Caucasus-Asia will be improved. The project will be completed by 2019. It will allow Armenia to soften the consequences of the blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey and to join the Black Sea ring highway. Corsan Corvian Spanish company has won the tenders for construction of the first sections of the road, Chinese Sinohydro Corporation has won the tender for construction of the Lanjik-Gyumri section in north of Armenia.