Rs25bn Jin Fei mega zone takes shape

The multi-million-dollar Jin Fei megaproject, which was officially launched in September 2009, is gradually taking shape.

A visit to the 500-acre site shows that the development has entered a new phase with the start of derocking which will pave the way for the construction of the first building. The Jin Fei Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone is a massive project and one of the largest ever foreign investments in Mauritius.

On completion, it is expected to create around 34,000 direct jobs and bring foreign direct investments of more than Rs25 billion. It was described as an “iconic integrated development along the Grand Bay-Port Louis corridor” by the Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam.

Jin Fei will be implemented in two phases. The first, which started in September 2009, is expected to be completed by 2012 and comprises the construction of road networks, utilities infrastructure, an industrial zone and a business centre on a surface area of 70 hectares.

The second phase, due to start last year on a surface area of 141 hectares, has been delayed. It consists of the construction of solar power generation, seafood products processing plant, medication and medical instrumentation, stainless steel product processing, education and real estate development.

The second phase has been delayed because of the recent financial crisis which hit the world economy. According to unofficial sources, the works are expected to start next year and be completed in 2015.

It will not be long before the Jin Fei Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone changes the landscape of Riche Terre, even though the people living in the vicinity do not seem to pay too much attention to what is happening next to them.

“We used to see some tractors and hear noise. We do not know what is going on,” says Maryse, a middle-aged woman living in Cite Saint Malo.

Even though the roads are so far not opened to the public, a drive there shows that the works have progressed significantly since the first stone was laid by Prime Minister Rangoolam less than two years ago.

Most of the roads, including the one that connects the Jin Fei zone to the Riche Terre roundabout, are already completed. The Central Electricity Board has also installed streetlights all along the roads.

Pavements have also been constructed. The JinFei project has now reached a new level. This week when NEWSNOW visited the site a group of labourers were hard at work.

One of them told this newspaper: “It is all going to start here. The derocking works started about a fortnight ago and will continue for some time. “After we finish our work, then Jin Fei will erect the first building here.”

The Jin Fei Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, previously known as Tianli Economic Zone, is a partnership of three Chinese firms – Tisco, Shanxi Coking Coal Group, Shanxi Tianli Enterprise Group. The China Africa Development Fund is an equity partner