Chilean minister calls for Chinese investment in transport sector

Pedro Pablo Errázuriz, Chile's transport and telecommunications minister ( MTT) has called for China to look into investment opportunities in the transport infrastructure sector. Speaking at the VI China-Chile bilateral business meeting in Beijing, Errázuriz said there are several projects on the pipeline, including ports, airports and railroads, a press release from MTT reads. Since March, MTT announced three important developments in railroad infrastructure, including the expansion of state-owned railway firm EFE's Bíotren service in southern region VIII to the city of Coronel, and construction of the US$600mn Melitren service in capital Santiago's metropolitan region. Both projects are part of the government's efforts to revamp EFE via the expansion of the company's suburban services. Additionally, the MTT official highlighted EFE's acquisition of eight new trains to operate in region V's metropolitan rail service Merval. Other projects highlighted by Errázuriz included the US$2.76bn construction of lines 3 and 6 of Santiago's subway operator Metro, the US$723mn expansion and reconcession of Santiago's international airport and the planned development of a new port to be located in central region V.