China’s largest state-owned entity, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has bagged a major aviation deal of Zimbabwe, when the African country felt the need of an aviation boost.
Zimbabwe wants to replace it's age old aviation technology, which the country thinks as a barrier to their travel and tourism needs
Last year, Zimbabwe's Finance minister Mthuli Ncube had highlighted the process of replacing the outdated aviation technology in his 2021 National Budget as he underscored potential revenue loss due to the obsolete infrastructure.
Now, Transport and Infrastructure Development secretary Thedius Chinyanga has revealed that CHEC had been identified as the most suitable company through a proper procurement process but negotiations over the terms of the contract are not yet to be over.
In 2016, the US$33 million tender had been awarded to a Spanish firm Indra Sistemas, but was terminated on the grounds that, the tender did follow the procedures as prescribed by law of the land.
Reportedly, Indra Sistemas also did not clear a certain critical security vetting process by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) & the Air Force of Zimbabwe.
In addition to CHEC, there are other chinese firms, engaged in US$153 million Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion project and US$150 million Victoria Falls expansion project.
