Ethiopia has agreed with Chinese firms to boost cooperation in the construction sector, the Ethiopia Ministry of Urban Development and Construction (MoUDC) on Wednesday.

The Ministry said the construction cooperation agreement was reached in China between Aysha Mohammed, Ethiopia's Minister of Urban Development and Construction, and officials of Chinese state-owned construction firms.

"Ethiopia has put a 10-year strategic plan to exponentially develop the construction sector. Chinese construction firms have a key role in helping fulfill Ethiopia's 10-year strategic plan," Mrs. Aysha was quoted as saying.

The Minister went on to say that Ethiopia is keen to receive Chinese assistance in its drive to build residential homes for millions of Ethiopians who have yet to have access to proper housing.

One of the major Chinese construction firms involved in Ethiopia CCCC (China Communications Construction Corporation), taking part in landmark projects, including the 216 km Woldiya-Mekelle railway project, the Addis Ababa ring road project, the 78 km Addis Ababa-Adama toll expressway and extension of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The Addis Ababa City Administration and CCCC are currently finalizing design works and pre-construction modalities for the proposed residential housing project.

Earlier this month, Takele Uma, mayor of Ethiopia's capital city Addis Ababa announced plans to partner with Chinese firms to ease the acute residential housing shortage in the city of about four million people. The residential housing project which will lie on 27 hectares of land will be built by CCCC.

Source: Xinhua