[Satellite TODAY 12-29-09] Bolivia expects to construct and launch Tupac Katari, the country’s first telecommunication satellite and cooperative project with China, within three years, the Bolivian government announced Dec. 22.
    Bolivia said that negotiations between the two potential partners, which were being facilitated by Chinese Great Wall Industrial Corp., have been successful and that a deal is likely to be reached soon.
    “We may be able to sign the contract making the satellite construction viable on March 31, according to schedule,” Bolivian Deputy Telecommunication Minister Roy Mendez said in a statement.
    Mendez said the $300 million project would be funded by secured credit from a Chinese bank.