| Angola and Zambia Discuss Direct
Air and Rail Links
Angolan and Zambian officials began discussions
this week on re-establishing direct air and rail links between
the countries. As reported in an earlier ANIP news bulletin,
Angola's national airline TAAG has already submitted a request
to provide direct air passenger service between Lusaka and Luanda,
and Zambian officials have indicated that they expect to approve
the request within the coming days.
In addition, the two countries are now considering re-connecting
Zambia's North-Western Province with Angola's Benguela Railroad.
The two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) and feasibility studies of the proposed $60 million project
are underway. The Zambian government also is expected to sign
an MOU with Northwest Rail, a private company that plans to
build the rail link that would connect the province to the Benguela
Railroad.
Prior to Angola's civil war, the 1,500 kilometer Benguela Railroad
was a major transportatio n thoroughfare that carried Zambian
copper to Angolan ports in Lobito and Benguela. Reviving the
railroad would greatly enhance regional transportation and facilitate
regional commerce. Currently less than 450 kilometers of the
railway is fully operational.
News Bulletin on Angola of ANIP
(www.investinangola.com),
18.03.2005
Embassy of Republic of Angola, 2005
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