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26 countries participated in a ministerial roundtable on the occasion of the 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition in Riyadh on November 10-14, 2013. The roundtable was convened to address key challenges faced by the sector, and discuss a long-term agenda that builds on successful policies and programs.

The Uzbekistan Government is calling for bids on a key road project that will boost transport connectivity. The work calls for the rebuilding of the Pungan-to-Namangan highway. The plans call for the 75km highway to be widened from its present two lane configuration to a design featuring four lanes. The work is expected to take two years to complete and bids are being accepted for the project until the 20th January 2014. The widening of the highway is expected to help the economic development of the country

A massive growth in sales is expected for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles in coming years, according to a forecast from specialist IDTechEx. According to the report, the total global gross value market for hybrid and pure electric vehicles will reach US$334 billion by 2020. At present the total global gross value market for hybrid and pure electric vehicles is worth some $69 billion. The report suggests that the market for these vehicles will primarily consist of large or very heavy duty vehicles, nei

The Chilean authorities have awarded the project to build the Chacao crossing to a consortium comprising OAS, Hyundai, Systra and Aas-Jakobsen. The winning bid was for US$680.4 million. When the contracting consortium completes construction of Chile’s Chacao Channel crossing it will connect Chiloe Island to Chile’s mainland. The project has been halted and delayed a number of times over the years but this move will see the work going ahead at last, with construction expected to take some 79 months.

Chinese firms are to carry out three major road projects in Tanzania. The projects were awarded by the Tanzanian Government and are worth close to US$160 million in all. The companies are China Railway Seventh Group Company, Sichuan Road and Bridge (Group) Corporation and China Henan International Cooperation Company. The projects include the 65.5km road connecting Mangaka and Mtambaswala, as well as the 88km road from Mela to Bonga and the 99.35km road from Mayamaya to Mela. The work is due for completion

Further delays are adding to the sorry tale of woe surrounding the construction of the Blanka Tunnel project in the Czech Republic. The tunnel was supposed to improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in Czech capital Prague. However following a series of disagreements over the work being carried out as well as the spiralling cost, financing, legal problems and various technical issues, the construction of the tunnel has finally ground to a halt. Czech construction firm Metrostav has said that it w

Talks have been held in Beijing between Chinese companies and Argentina's Finance and Federal Planning Ministry. Argentina Is keen for Chinese firms to be involved in 15 infrastructure projects worth a total of US$19 billion planned for the South American country. One of the key projects that has been under discussion is that of the Agua Negra Tunnel, which will connect Argentina and Chile through the Andes Mountains. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) is one of several companies inter

Two competing consortia are due to find out tomorrow (December 20 2013) which one has won the estimated €1.2 billion (US$1.65 billion) contract to build the Comarnic-Brasov highway section in Romania. The Vistrada Nord consortium formed of Vinci of France, Strabag of Austria and Aktor of Greece, and another consortium involving Impreglio and Salini of Italy are vying for the prized works. The Comarnic-Brasov highway section should be completed by the end of 2016, according to Narcis Neaga, general man

The 2014 outlook for U.S. toll roads, airports, and ports is stable despite tepid growth, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. “The growing use of Public Private Partnership, or P3, transactions to construct new or expand existing projects is largely motivated by limited resources at the state and local level, combined with uncertainty on future federal funding levels,” said Scott Zuchorski, director in Global Infrastructure and Project Finance at Fitch Ratings. “While not a panacea for all funding is

Turnkey contracts, including major transport projects, worth US$4.51 billion (EUR 3.28bn) have been signed under the current government administration in Panama since its election in 2009, it has been reported. The value of the turnkey contracts signed during President Ricardo Martinelli’s time as head of state includes US$1.09 billion allocated to five contracts to widen a 185km road section between Santiago de Veraguas and David to four lanes. The most expensive contract, worth US$ 1.64 billion, is for a