Ethiopians take a selfie after experiencing the newly inaugurated railway at the Lebu station in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Oct. 5, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)ADDIS ABABA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese built 756 km electrified rail project connecting landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti will start commercial operations in October, according to the Ethiopian transportation minister. Speaking to Xinhua, Ahmed Shide, Minister of Ethiopia's Ministry of Transportation, said the rail project is a showcase of China's support for Ethiopia's efforts to transform its economy through infrastructural development. "We hope the rail project will facilitate expansion of industrial manufacturing and boost Ethiopia's competitiveness by significantly cutting time needed for Ethiopia's exports to reach Djibouti port," he added. Li Chenglin (C), head of the train crew, gives cookies to passengers on a passenger train of Ethiopia-Djibouti railway in Ethiopia, on Oct. 5, 2016.

Source: Ethiopian News July 22, 2017 11:37 UTC