Friday, December 14 2018 13:23

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.