The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) will seek Chinese assistance in the construction of a railway linking the Great Lakes region, Times of Zambia reported on Tuesday.

 

It quoted COMESA assistant secretary general Sindiso Ngwenya as saying in Lusaka that the Chinese side would likely be considered to ask for help in the project because of the good work they have done on the rehabilitation of the Lobito line in Angola.

 

The railway of the Great Lake region has stalled due to technical reasons. Experts will meet next month for preliminary discussions on how the project would be restructured, Ngwenya said.

 

"Discussions are expected to be held next month to revive the project," he said, adding that the project is very important to the enhancement of trade in the COMESA region.

 

Ngwenya said it will be ideal for China to rehabilitate the Benguela railway.

 

The Benguela line would be the quickest transport route for Zambia which relies on the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam for the delivery of goods.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2006)