ADDIS ABABA: China, Ethiopia and Sudan have all announced the opening and operation of a new highway financed by the Chinese between the two East African countries. The aim of the new motorway is to promote trade and development in the region, officials told Bikyanews.com on Sunday. “We are very excited about this highway and it should do wonders to promote trade and ease of travel between Ethiopia and Sudan,” an Ethiopian government official told Bikyanews.com. The new highway runs over 100 kilometers in length, and connects the Ethiopian town of Asossa with the Sudanese town of Kumruk, making trade and visits considerably easier for traders and travelers. The cost of over $27 million was underwritten by China and opens up another route permitting landlocked Ethiopia to trade within the region and her direct neighbors. Ethiopia is also part of Kenya's LAPSSET project which is set to build a new deep sea harbor near Lamu and then link Kenya with Ethiopia and South Sudan by highway and railway, at last giving Ethiopia a reliable and safe route for imports and exports distant from hostile neighbors. Bikyanews.com
