Finance & Funding

Ecuador has plans for a programme of road repairs and improvements worth US$300 million. The work planned will include repairs to stretches of roads affected by roadslides and flooding. So far $40 million of repair works have been carried out. The programme has been set out by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MTOP).

German engine maker Deutz reports a strong financial performance for 2017, with a marked increase in new orders, revenue and operating profits. With a view to the future, the firm is also positioning itself as a leader for innovative drive systems for off-highway applications. The firm’s new orders amounted to €1,556.5 million, up by 23.4% on the prior-year figure of €1,261.4 million. All of the major application segments, including the service business, registered an increase in new orders. Almost 162,000

Interest has been strong in the tender process for Uruguay’s Road Corridor Number 5 project.

Interest is strong in the project to build a new tunnel connecting Argentina and Chile. In all 26 firms have entered into the bidding process, joining together to comprise 10 consortia. The project is likely to cost US$1.5 billion, with much of the necessary financing being supplied by the IADB. The consortia include: Astaldi, FCC and Rivas; CCCC and JCR; China Railway Construction and Panedile; Dragados, Techint and Besalco; OHL, Condotte and Rovella; Power China and Sacde; Sacyr Construccion, SK

The feasibility study is being handled for a stretch of Vietnam’s North-South highway project. The project is likely to cost US$5.22 billion, of which $2.8 billion will be provided by private funding sources, with the remainder coming from the Vietnamese Government’s sources. The project is being overseen by Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport. Vietnam’s Department of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects has urged the bodies involved with eight PPP sub-projects to complete feasibility studies for these

The European contracting association, the FIEC, is calling for greater spending levels on transport infrastructure across the EU. According to the FIEC, better transport will benefit Europe’s citizens as well as economic development. As a result, the FIEC is advocating for more EU funds for transport in the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework. Together with a number of other organisations involved in transport matters, the FIEC believes that investing in transport, and in particular in the Trans-European

According to the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), UK exports of construction and earthmoving equipment remain healthy. The figures show that sales continued on a strong upward trend in the last quarter of 2017, showing growth for the fifth consecutive quarter. Machine exports in Q4 2017 showed an 8% increase on Q3 levels, at £780 million; the highest for over three years. A strong finish to 2017 resulted in total exports showing a 22.7% increase on 2016 levels at £2.9 billion. UK equipment

Dissatisfaction has been expressed in Kenya over the increased cost for the highway upgrade connecting capital Nairobi with its international airport. The new highway link will cost nearly US$584 million, instead of the $376 million originally anticipated. The link has had to be redesigned and will now feature a number of flyover sections and underpasses instead of being elevated for the entire 43.5km stretch between the airport and Rironi. The new highway section will be tolled and will connect Jomo Kenyat

A key road upgrade in Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam, is intended to cut peak time congestion. The 4.3km road section of Bagamoyo Road from Morocco Juntion to Mwenge Junction will be widened to a four lane dual carriageway. The project is being part funded by the Japanese Government, which has contributed US$34.3 million for the work.

Almost €790 million will be allocated from the Cohesion Fund for three road projects which improve the country's communication with Germany and other Western and Eastern European countries. Around €270 million will be for the Garwolin-to-Kurow S17 dual carriageway, another €125 million to build a stretch of the S6 dual carriageway between Goleniow and Kielp and €390 million for the S2 on the outskirts of Warsaw.