China mega deal projects to start soon, says Obert Mpofu

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu says meetings between Zimbabwean and Chinese officials following President Mugabe's visit to China paved way for implementation of the deals that include dualisation of the country's highways and construction of a railway line.

Work on the infrastructural projects that Zimbabwe signed with China during President Mugabe's State visit to that country last month will start soon as Cabinet is now expected to review some of the implementation strategies.

"We have made tremendous progress on all the projects that we presented to the Chinese Government and the investors on infrastructural development," said Minister Mpofu.

"Our officials have engaged Chinese officials at a technical level to consummate the agreed terms following the visit by President Mugabe and his delegation.

"On the railway side, we have made progress with the potential investor and I will be presenting the project to Cabinet for its final approval." Government signed MoUs for feasibility studies on the construction of a railway line from Harare to Mutare.

Minister Mpofu said the ministry would also open tenders for dualisation of the country's highways in the next few days.

Government also signed MoUs for feasibility studies on dualisation of the country's highways, among them Harare-Beitbridge, Harare-Nyamapanda, Harare-Chirundu and Harare-Mutare.