Chinese Government provides RMB 30 million concessional loan for International Conference Hall Construction Project (Linked to Record ID#2148, #30434, #57998)

Project narrative

On 15 April 2002, the Chinese Ambassador signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement (ETCA) granting 30 million RMB to the Government of Sudan for the International Conference Hall Construction Project (see Record ID#2148). Then, on 4 January 2004, the Chinese Government signed an agreement providing a 30 million RMB concessional loan for this project. According to the Bank of Sudan 2004 Annual Report, the loan has a 10 year grace period that ran from January 2004 to January 2014 (p. 104). The interest rate and maturity of the loan are unknown. This project involved the construction of a 5,200 square meter international conference hall as an annex of the existing Friendship Hall (which was constructed with Chinese aid during the 1970s). Shanghai Construction (Group) Corporation (SCG) was the contractor responsible for implementation. Construction began on 6 March 2003, and a formal groundbreaking ceremony took place on 30 June 2003. Then, on 5 April 2005, the conference hall was opened to the public. In 2014, the Chinese Government financed the renovation of this conference hall (see Record ID#30434). On 4 January 2004, the Chinese Government also provided a 30 million RMB grant (see Record ID#57998).