Nicaragua is expected to kick- start on Monday the construction of an inter-oceanic canal, which will be built by a Hong Kong company, according to the committee in charge of the project.

The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to be held later Monday, but due to waves of protests, the venue and list of the participants are yet to be released, sources told Xinhua.

The canal, with an investment of 50 billion U.S. dollars, will be built by HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Co., Ltd.

Sporadic protests could be seen as early as 2013 when the project was first approved in the central American country.

The major concern of the local residents is the possible displacement, as the 278-km canal would cut through the country. But supporters believe the canal would greatly boost the country's economy with a waterway that can rival the Panama Canal. Enditem

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