Guyana and Brazil look to China to finance jungle highway

Indigenous Munduruku children playing in the Tapajos river in the tribal area of Sawre Muybu, Itaituba, Brazil, Feb. 10, 2015. (Mauricio Lima/The New York Times, World Press Photo via AP)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- The governments of Guyana and Brazil will try to tap China's $10 billion Latin American infrastructure fund to finance a 350-mile jungle highway linking the two South American nations.

Guyana Finance Minister Carl Greenidge said Saturday the two countries have agreed to begin talks with China to finance the project, which is aimed at spurring trade and open up jungle areas for development. The project would provide Guyana quick access to jungle and mountain regions and give Brazil's landlocked Amazonian states access to the Caribbean and Central America.

Officials said a feasibility study needs to be undertaken to determine the project's costs.

The two nations are also in talks to develop shipping and hydroelectric projects adjacent to the proposed jungle highway.