Four out of 16 shortlisted bidders advanced to the next stage to compete for the construction of the Ghana-Burkina Faso Railway inter-connection project.

The Primary objective of the railway interconnectivity project is to facilitate trade and development between the two countries through an efficient transportation service both freight and passengers which falls in line with Ghana's Railway Master Plan.

The project which is to be on a Built Operate and Transfer bases is an idea of both countries to enhance economic activity among the two countries.

The Ghana-Burkina Faso Railway inter-connection project is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020.

The project when completed will link the two countries through a rail line from Ghana's Eastern Corridor.

Minister for Railway development, Joe Ghartey is optimistic the project will be a game-changer for economic activity among the two nations.

Speaking after the two countries officially opened bidding for the project in Accra, Mr Ghartey announced that the Public Procurement Authority has given approval for the Ministry to engage the investors.

"The Ministry of Railway Development, therefore, went through the necessary public procurement princesses and obtained approval from the Public Procurement Authority to engage the services of a consortium made up of Messrs team Engineering S.P.A of Italy and Vision Consult Limited of Ghana to provide transactional advisory services for the development of the project" he said.

He also disclosed that an independent Joint Evaluation Committee will commence the evaluation process on the four shortlisted finalists.

"An independent joint evaluation Committee with membership from both Ghana and Burkina Faso would immediately commence an evaluation process with some terms of reference".

The four shortlisted finalists are China Railway construction bridge engineering group, China Railway number 10 Consortium, African global development and Frontline Consortium, a wholly owned Ghanaian investment firm.