BURUNDI, Aug. 17 -- TANZANIA and Burundi marked a significant milestone yesterday with the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) construction, connecting Uvinza in Kigoma Region to Musongati in Burundi.

The 300-kilometre railway line is poised to boost regional trade and strengthen economic integration between the two countries.

The project, valued at 2.54 billion US dollars (equivalent to 5.6tri/-), is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and will be built under the design-and-build system using American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-ofWay Association (AREMA) standards.

It represents sections seven and eight of Tanzanias national SGR and is designed to carry both heavy cargo and passengers.

Out of the 300 kilome...