China expects to imports about $2bn-worth of construction machinery during the period 2001 to 2005, according to the State Machine-Building Industry Bureau.
Preliminary estimates forecast that the country will import 8,000 to 9,000 construction cranes every year, along with up to 7,000 bulldozers, 30,000 loaders, 45,000 forklifts, 14,000 hydraulic excavators and 11,000 units of road construction machinery.
According to the Beijing-based English language newspaper, China Daily, construction machinery is regarded as a key beneficiary from a national increase in fixed capital investment, as steps are taken to ensure the economy hits its target of 8% annual growth.
