China’s Export Import Bank (EXIM) has agreed to provide the funds for a new airport in Khartoum, Sudan.

According to a report by Airport World magazine, China’s EXIM bank has agreed to loan the Sudanese government $700 million to fund the development of the long-awaited airport, which is set to be built on an 80 square kilometer site about 40km from Khartoum.

When completed the airport will have a single terminal building and two runways and will be constructed in 40 months by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), according to the report. The airport project also includes plans for a new 300-room hotel.

Mohamed Abdul-Aziz, director of Sudan Airports Holding Company, enthused: “Khartoum’s new international airport is a dream that all Sudanese people are looking forward to becoming reality.”

Sudan’s Finance Minister, Ali Mahmoud, noted: “This project is an addition to Sudan and Africa as it serves to link the African countries with the Middle East and also helps in the recovery of economy and trade in Sudan.”

Mr Mahmoud added that the deal – which comes at a time when some airlines are allegedly considering cutting back flights to Sudan because of currency restrictions bans them from repatriating profits – highlighted the close ties between Sudan and China.

This new revelations come nearly two-and-a-half years after the Sudanese government announced that it had awarded a $1.2 billion contract to a Chinese company to build the new airport.