Chinese Vice Prime Minister’s visit bears fruit:
Sri Lanka-China sign six pacts
Chaminda PERERA
Sri Lanka and China signed six agreements to enhance co-operation in
the fields of technology, industry, information technology and
construction at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.
The signing of agreements took place in the presence of Prime
Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang.
The two Governments signed an economic and technical co-operation
agreement. The signatories were Finance Ministry Secretary Dr P.B.
Jayasundera and Chinese Assistant Commerce Minister Wang Chao.
The two Governments also signed an agreement for the maintenance and
development of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)
which is a donation from China.
The Road Development Authority (RDA) signed an agreement with a
Chinese company for the construction of the last stage of the Southern
Expressway from Pinnaduwa to Godagama.
RDA Chairman Ranjith Premasiri and National Technical Import and
Export Corporation in China President Tang Yi signed the agreement on
behalf of the two sides.
The two Governments inked another agreement for the enhanced
co-operation in the field of Information and Communications. An MoU was
also signed for the development of maritime ports. Acting Ports and
Aviation Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Chinese Transport Minister
Lin Shenjin were the signatories. The second phase of the Hambantota
Port will commence under this agreement and the Chinese Government, will
provide a loan of US $600m which is payable within 20 years.
A certificate of donation by ZTE Corporation of China was also
presented to Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa by ZTE
Corporation Chairman Hou Weei.
This grant of US $500,000, would be utilized for the promotion of IT
literary among the youth community in Sri Lanka. |