Portugal to invest 15 bln euros in infrastructure

LISBON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Portugal will invest up to 15 billion euros in infrastructure through 2015, Public Works Minister Mario Lino said on Monday, after his government approved the location for a new Lisbon airport.

"The year 2008 marks the return of large scale investments

(in construction and transportation)," he said in a speech to local businessmen on Monday. The investments are expected to be carried out by the state and private companies.

The new international airport, which could cost up to 5.0 billion euros, will include a new bridge. It is also likely to include rail and road connections. The airport will be located at Alcochete, on the south bank of the river Tagus.

The airport is expected to be complete by 2017 and will replace Lisbon's current international Portela airport, which the government says will struggle to cope with rising passenger numbers by 2020.

Analysts expect these projects to boost the country's ailing economy. Portugal is one of Western Europe's poorest countries.

(Reporting by Elisabete Tavares, translating by Henrique Almeida, editing by David Christian-Edwards)

((henrique.almeida@reuters.com, +351-13-09-20 , Reuters Messaging: henrique.almeida.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: PORTUGAL INVESTMENT/MINISTER

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