The undertaking, budgeted at 75 million US dollars, will be carried out by the Chinese company "An Hui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation" (AFECC).
"Within approximately 20 months there will be a powerful building standing here, an outstanding architectural reference point in our country", declared Guebuza, addressing dozens of guests and government officials, who took part in the event, which was preceded by a traditional ceremony, meant to appease the spirits of the land to allow smooth work on the site.
Guebuza admitted that "modernizing and expanding the airport is not, in itself, synonymous with the development of Mozambique".
Nonetheless, the airport had a great deal of potential to participate in development, as part of "a range of complementary, coordinated and synchronised activities".
"So if today work begins to ensure that this imposing undertaking sees the light of day, so today must also begin actions that translate into jobs and wealth, the opportunities that will spring from this infrastructure", said Guebuza.
Guebuza noted that with the modernization of the airport, Mozambique would be in a better position to take advantage from the large number of tourists who will visit the region in 2010 because of the football World Cup to be held in South Africa.
He hoped that visitors to Mozambique in 2010 would spread the news of the country as a tourism and investment destination.
The airport, which was built about 45 years ago, is to be expanded to cater for 900,000 passengers a year, compared with the current 300,000, said the chairperson of the board of the state airport company, ADM, Diodino Cambaza.
The new terminal will have five telescopic gates allowing direct access to aircraft: currently access is simply by walking across the tarmac.
The existing domestic passenger terminal will be converted into a shopping area, a new VIP pavilion will be built, and the airport car park will be expanded.
SOURCE: AIM
