Ariel view of Juba International Airport. Credit | Obaj Okuj/Eye Radio

The upgrading and renovation of Juba International Airport will soon commence, the Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan has said.

China has approved more than 100 million dollars for infrastructural development in South Sudan.

“Most of the loan will be used on the upgrade and renovation of Juba international airport, as well as other infrastructure construction,” Ambassador Ma Chiang told Eye Radio in an exclusive interview.

Ambassador Chiang said Chinese engineers are already in South Sudan to begin the construction.

“This construction was initially planned to being in December 2013 but was forced to suspend and delay the construction period due to the breakout of the conflict,” he said.

“The Chinese have an engineering company that is making active preparation to restart the construction; so far, the technicians are in place now and the equipment and the material supplies are in transit. Hopefully the project will commences next month”

Ambassador Ma Chiang called upon the international partners and investors to support South Sudan infrastructure and economic sectors.