Chinese Government signs ETCA providing RMB 120 million interest-free loan for Friendship Hall Renovation Project (Linked to Record ID#2148, #57993, ETCA #30433)

Chinese Government signs ETCA providing RMB 120 million interest-free loan for Friendship Hall Renovation Project On 23 November 2011, the Chinese and Sudanese governments signed letters of exchange for the Friendship Hall Renovation Project.

Then, the Chinese Government commissioned the Shanghai Architectural Research and Design Institute to inspect this project between 12-29 March 2012.

Following the results of the inspection, on 20 December 2012, the Chinese Government signed an economic and technical cooperation project (ETCA) providing a RMB 120 million interest-free loan for the Friendship Hall Renovation Project as well as a 180 million RMB grant for unspecified projects (see ETCA #30433).

The total project cost was RMB 186 million, but it is not known how the additional RMB 66 million was financed.

This project involved the renovation and maintenance of the conference building, conference hall, banquet hall, exhibition hall, and theater in Friendship Hall. China Railway 4th Bureau was the contractor responsible for implementation. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 29 November 2014 and this project was completed in August 2017.

The Friendship Hall was originally constructed with Chinese aid during the 1970s.

In 2002 (see Record ID#2148) and 2004 (see Record ID#57993), the Chinese Government provided financing for the construction of an international conference hall as an annex of the existing Friendship Hall.