STORY: Chinese-built section of key highway to open in Algeria
DATELINE: July 17, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:43
LOCATION: Algiers
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the highway
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): DJOTNI BENAISSA, Head of the 84-kilometer project of Algeria's National Highway Agency
3. various of the highway construction site

STORYLINE:

The construction site of the 84-kilometer section of Algeria's East-West Highway is buzzing with activity. Chinese and Algerian workers, employed by China's CITIC Construction, are making final preparations for the upcoming opening of the road to traffic.
   
According to Djotni Benaissa, head of the 84-kilometer project at Algeria's National Highway Agency, the completion of this section holds significant economic and social importance, changing the fate of the country's economic artery as a "dead-end highway."

SOUNDBITE (Arabic): DJOTNI BENAISSA, Head of the 84-kilometer project of Algeria's National Highway Agency
"It completes the East-West Highway, which connects the easternmost and westernmost parts of Algeria. The highway has a significant impact on the economy, development, and society. From an economic standpoint, the highway connects 17 provinces in the northern part of Algeria. It establishes links between the eastern and western regions, as well as between Algeria and neighboring Tunisia and Libya, thereby connecting Algeria with the Arab World. Its economic and trade importance lies in its connection to the port of Annaba. This port plays a pivotal role in Algeria's economic sphere. Additionally, considering Algeria's status as a tourist destination, this project could serve as a driving force for promoting Algeria as a desirable destination. Regarding Sino-Algerian cooperation, I think it is the finest cooperation model. I would express gratitude for the exchange of experience, which has contributed to the ongoing success of this bilateral partnership and relations."

Known as the "century project," the 1,216-kilometer-long Algerian East-West Highway saw 528 kilometers constructed by the Chinese CITIC-CRCC consortium between 2006 and 2012.

However, for the 84-kilometer section, CITIC Construction emerged as a "rescuer" to complete the project that was abandoned by the initial contractor from another country.

Its opening signifies the full completion of the East-West Highway as the rest of the project had been opened to traffic years earlier.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Algiers.
(XHTV)