(Ecofin Agency) - Liberian government and China Exim Bank signed earlier this week a loan agreement for $50 million which Liberia will use to build a new terminal at Monrovia’s Roberts international airport.

According to Liberian authorities, works for the project should start immediately and end in deadlines set by the China Harbor, the firm that got the contract.

Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who oversaw the signing of agreement, believes that the new look of the country’s biggest airport will improve that of the nation while contributing economic growth.

“The Airport terminal is important for growth. This work will enhance our economic growth. The coming in of this airport will increase the traffic and capacity for more flights,” said Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Boimah Kamara.

The Roberts airport is Liberia’s main international airport. It is located about 40 km from the capital, Monrovia. It is named after the nation’s first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts.

During the 1990 civil war, the infrastructure’ airstrip was bombarded and its terminal was burned. Closed after the crisis, it only reopened in 1997 with one freight building turned into an airport terminal. However, various international airlines such as Air France suspended their flights to the airport.