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China to build two dams in Sierre Leone |
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Thursday, 21 May 2009 |
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 FREETOWN, May 19 (Reuters) - China is to build two hydro-electric dams
in Sierre Leone as part of efforts to foster ties with the West African
country, its ambassador there said late on Monday.
Qiu Shaofang
told reporters Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma was due to
make a state visit to China starting on Sunday to discuss bilateral
ties and assistance.
"Despite the current international
economic downturn, China has promised not to reduce assistance to
African countries, particularly Sierra Leone," Qiu said.
The
two dams would be built over three years in the northern city of
Makeni, Koroma's home base, and in Port Loko, 75 miles (120 km) from
the capital Freetown.
Sierre Leone is seeking to put years of
conflict behind it and attract investors. China, which has seen its
trade with Africa jump in recent years, has frequently offered help to
African nations in building dams despite criticism from campaigners
about their impact on the local environment.
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