China gives Benin $69 mln loan

China has given Benin a preferential loan of 40 billion CFA Francs (over 69 million U.S. dollars) to fund telecommunication infrastructure projects, diplomatic sources said Monday in Cotonou.

The agreement was signed on the same day in Cotonou between Benin's Foreign Minister and African Integration Prof. Nassirou Arifari Bako and China's ambassador to Benin Diao Mingsheng.

"I understand the importance Benin's government places on construction of telecommunications infrastructures. And we hope the completion of this broadband project will enable Beninese population who are not yet connected to get access to the Internet, " the Chinese diplomat said, adding that his wish is to see the project completed as soon as possible.

"The Internet promotes social and economic development, and the signing of this agreement is just meant to reinforce our cooperation relations," he added.

Benin's foreign minister said the signing of the agreement was another strong signal of China's willingness to continue supporting Benin's development process.

"This act comes at a time when Benin, just like other sub- regional countries, is migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting and it is an addition to numerous accomplishments in the fruitful and exemplary cooperation between Benin and China," Arifari Bako concluded.