THE proposal by the government of Honduras to build a $US 20bn, 440km coast-to-coast railway is gaining momentum. The project, which is being promoted by president, Ms Xiomara Castro, has been declared of national interest.
The government has set up the National Interoceanic Railway Commission (Confi) with Mr Héctor Zelaya, private secretary to the presidency, appointed executive president.
Zelaya says that the president wants the railway to connect the Caribbean port of Puerto Castilla with the Pacific Ocean ports of San Lorenzo and Amapala and serve Catacamas and Danlí in the centre of the country.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration is believed to have made $US 200m available for conceptual design and pre-feasibility, environmental impact and risk management studies.
This month, Confi presented its proposals to delegations from the United States, Italy, Spain, Qatar, Japan, Korea, and China.
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