ADDIS ABABA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Infrastructure works done to connect Djibouti and Ethiopia have hit 15 billion U.S. dollars, an Ethiopian official said on Thursday.

Speaking to local and international media, Meles Alem, Spokesperson of Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said the infrastructure investment has helped to closely integrate the two countries.

Alem mentioned the Chinese built and financed 4 billion U.S. dollars 756 kms Addis Ababa-Djibouti electrified rail line as a standout project.

Contracted by two Chinese companies, the first 320 km of the rail project was carried out by China Rail Engineering Corporation (CREC), while the remaining 436 km connecting to the Djibouti port was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The railway project provides both passenger and freight services between Addis Ababa and Djibouti.

Chinese finance and expertise has also helped in building a potable water project bringing water from Ethiopia to Djibouti and in the construction of ports in Djibouti which will service landlocked Ethiopia's increasing foreign trade.

Gedion Jalata, CEO of Center of Excellence International Consult, told Xinhua that Ethiopia-Djibouti economic ties are being boosted by the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

"B&R has already incorporated 60 countries since its launch in 2013, with a landmark B&R project the commissioned 756 kms Ethiopia-Djibouti electrified rail line and other ongoing infrastructure projects in ports, industrial parks, air sector helping connect Ethiopia and Djibouti to China," he said.