Govt signs US$138M contract to upgrade CJIA

– Chinese firm to build new terminal, extend runway

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been awarded a US$138 million contract to build a modern terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and also extend the runway, the government has confirmed.

Financing of the contract which was signed in Jamaica on Friday last, will be provided by China Exim Bank, a report in the Jamaica Observer said.

In a statement, the government of Guyana announced that it is embarking on a major project to expand the airport. To this end, Cabinet has approved a US$ 138 million design and construction contract with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

The project, which was first announced several months ago, is expected to include an extension of the runway to a total of 10,800 feet to accommodate large transatlantic aircrafts such as the Boeing 747, along with construction of a new terminal building, acquisition of eight boarding bridges, and installation of other state of the art equipment such as elevators, escalators, and x-ray scanners using three-dimensional technology along with flight information and security monitoring systems.

Once completed, the project would ensure that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is able to meet the needs of projected traffic for several years into the future, along with becoming a hub for regional and continental traffic.

The expanded facilities at the airport are also expected to generate a wide range of economic activities, and create business and employment opportunities for thousands of persons both in the construction and operation phases of the airport.

CHEC was established in 2005 following a merger between China Harbour Engineering Company Group (founded in 1980) and China Road and Bridge Corporation. It is one of the largest Chinese state-owned enterprises engaged in foreign trade.

The company has branches in 20 countries and has conducted business activities in six continents. CHEC is currently constructing a new terminal and runway in Sri Lanka, having already undertaken works at the Macao International Airport and the Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong.

In the region, CHEC has its head office in Jamaica where they are currently undertaking infrastructure development works to the tune of US$460 million. They also have secured contracts to the tune of US$212 million and US$40 million for infrastructure works in Mexico and The Bahamas respectively.

It is anticipated that the project will be funded by concessional financing secured from a Chinese financial institution. Construction will commence early next year and is expected to take a total of 32 months.

This project represents the latest installment in government’s ongoing efforts to transform and modernise the infrastructural landscape of the country, including a four-lane highway to Timehri that is already under construction.