Three Chinese firms have been granted contracts worth nearly US$300 million by the Angolan Government to build more than 4,500 units of social housing in several provinces of the African nation, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported this week.

The projects would have financial support from credits provided by the Chinese Government, according to presidential orders signed by the Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos.

China’s state-run Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Bureau was granted contracts worth US$92.2 million to build 1,450 social houses in the Angolan provinces of Malange, Bie and Moxico.

Another Chinese state-owned firm, China Road and Bridge Corporation, is to be responsible for constructing 950 homes worth US$62.2 million in Cunene and Uige provinces, Lusa reported.

In Luanda province, Chinese state-run firm China Machinery Engineering Corporation was awarded US$142.5-million worth of work for construction of 2,168 houses, the orders said.