LUSAKA - A Chinese company is expected to build two railway lines in Zambia, local media reported on Wednesday.

The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) said the company would sign agreements with the Zambian government this week for the plan to build the two lines in its eastern and northern region at a total cost of $2.7 billion.

The total length of the two railway lines is expected to be 760.04 kilometers.

Zhao Zhongning, vice-president of CCECC, said that after the company finishes feasibility studies on the projects, the work will start next year.

Construction work on the two lines would be done at the same time and completed within five years, he told eastern province assistant secretary Beenzu Chikuba over a phone call.

On her part, Chikuba said the construction of the two railway lines would help regional integration and promote economic growth in the two provinces.

She said the government was happy with the dedication shown by the company in the bid to construct the two lines.