Chinese construction firms to boost Nicaragua footprint

Chinese construction firms will boost their presence in Nicaragua through several agreements and contracts that are part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

On Tuesday, local press reported Nicaraguan vice president Rosario Murillo saying the government will sign an MOU with China’s CCECC to build a railway to connect the cities of Managua, Masaya and Granada. The MOU will include studies, design and construction.

A second agreement will be signed to create a masterplan for a rail project that will link Managua, Corinto, and Bluefields, without Murillo saying if the same company will be involved.

Furthermore, an agreement to improve road infrastructure will be signed with CCCI, a subsidiary of CCCC, involving the Guanacaste – Nadaime – Rivas, and the Rivas - Sapoá highway projects.

The agreements will be signed in Beijing by a delegation led by transport and infrastructure minister Óscar Mojica, who is participating in the forum celebrating BRI’s 10th anniversary.

According to local outlets, at least eight agreements and contracts are expected to be signed this week, including one to expand the Pacífico Sur highway, another for the construction of the second stage of the Costanera highway, as well as for two hydroelectric projects. 

Nicaragua plans to start construction of most projects in 2024. 

On Monday, the country’s tourism institute (Intur) said the government and China’s CAMC Engineering had signed a contract to rebuild, expand and refurbish the Punta Huete international airport, in San Francisco Libre municipality.

The aim is for the deteriorated airport to have capacity to serve 3.5mn passengers per year and reduce the number of lay overs between Nicaragua and Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania. No further details of the contract were disclosed.