Page 24 - bne_newspaper_October_05_2018

Weekly Lists
October 5, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 24
bne:
Infrastructure
Astaldi talks to exit project to build world’s longest suspension bridge reportedly gather pace
UK’s MAG to bid for Sofia airport concession with China’s BCEG
Astaldi’s talks to sell its stake in Turkey’s 1915 Canakkale Bridge project — a potentially crucial source of funds for the international construction group that was held up by this summer’s economic crisis in the country — are advancing as it negotiates with a China Merchants Group-led consortium, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on October 3.
Talks entered into by the Chinese investor group for Astaldi’s 33% stake in the project to build the longest suspension bridge in the world have gathered pace in recent weeks and the Rome-based company aims to reach a deal by the end of the year, the sources added.
Multiple other Chinese companies remain in discussions to participate in the buyer consortium, according to the sources.
UK’s Manchester Airports Group (MAG) said on October 3 that it intends to bid for the concession to operate Bulgaria’s Sofia airport in partnership with Chinese state-owned Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG).
Bulgaria’s government launched the tender for a 35-year conces- sion of Sofia International Airport in July despite objections from the opposition. The deadline for interested companies to place of- fers is November 22.
“We have a clear vision as to how we will deliver a passenger expe- rience and global route network for Sofia Airport that is comparable to other top tier airports around the world,” MAG’s chief executive Charlie Cornish was quoted as saying in the statement. MAG and BCEG are already working together on Airport City UK.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $41.18mn grant aimed at the rehabilitation and expansion of climate-resilient water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Tajikistan, the bank said in a statement. The project is concerned with improving the delivery of urban services in the southeast area of Dushanbe.
The expansion of Dushanbe, currently home to a population of 820,000, has placed increased stress on the city’s urban services, including its ageing water supply and sanitation systems. Some parts of the city only enjoy four to eight hours per day of water sup- ply, when the water pressure is low.
ADB approves $41mn grant for Tajik water supply infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion