Chinese Government provides 3.9 billion CFA grant for rehabilitation of national radio transmitting center

Project narrative

On July 16, 2008, the Central African Republic Minister of State for Planning, the Economy and International Cooperation, Sylvain Maliko, and the Chinese Ambassador, Shi Hu, signed letters of exchange for a 3.9 billion FCFA grant to support the to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Bimbo Radio Broadcasting Center of Radio Centrafrique. According to the terms of the agreement, the Chinese Government agreed to provide machinery, equipment, and materials to support the Bimbo Radio Broadcasting Center. The Chinese Government also agreed to provide engineers and technicians to install the machinery and equipment and provide technical assistance. CAR Minister of Planning, Economy, and International Cooperation, Sylvain Maliko, and the Chinese Ambassador, Sui Hoo, attended the letters of exchange signing ceremony. This project was funded with the grant proceeds from Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) that the two governments signed on October 12, 2007 (see #56361). China Radio and Television International Economic and Technical Cooperation Corporation (China Broadcasting International Corporation) was the contractor responsible for implementation. This project was completed in January 2011 and the FM 97.7 Radio Station was officially opened and put into use on May 20, 2011. Shortly thereafter, the FM 97.7 Radio Station began broadcasting China Radio International (CRI) programs in French.