|
China to Lend Sri Lanka $200 Million for Second International Airport |
|
|
|
Staff Writer |
Thursday, 11 Mar 2010
|
|
China has agreed to lend Sri Lanka nearly $200 million to build a second international airport in what many are calling an attempt to gain greater influence in the island.
The new airport will be constructed in the south of the island near a sea port currently under construction at Hambantota. In addition to providing funding for the airport Beijing will also put up about $100 million to improve Sri Lanka’s railway network. According to the Sri Lankan government China is supplying more than half of all construction and development loans it is receiving. With Sri Lanka moving toward a more stable political and economic environment there has been greater interest from neighboring countries who want to invest in the island. As it stands China has outmuscled India in that area, a move that could cost India its influence in the region.(TWN)
|
28°C 
