Features

China to develop new national football stadium for Belarus

Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) has agreed a deal to develop a new national football stadium in Belarus.

Belarusian state news agency BelTA said BUCG has been selected as the general contractor for the 33,000-seat project, which is set to be developed in the capital Minsk. Beijing Construction Engineering Group will also serve as general contractor for an ‘international-standard’ aquatics centre.

The contracts are seen as the latest development in the close relationship built up between Belarus and China. The projects will come under the Chinese government’s Belt and Road Initiative global development venture, with Belarus having signed up as one of the first partners.

Construction work is soon due to begin on the two projects, with the football stadium scheduled for completion in 2023.

The stadium’s design was unveiled last month, with the facility to feature two tiers of seating and underground parking. It will also be able to host concerts and other events.

The Belarus national team currently uses Dinamo Stadium as its primary venue. Home of Premier League club Dinamo Minsk, the stadium has a capacity of around 22,000 after reopening in December 2017 following major redevelopment.

Images: Minsk City Hall