Armenia's inadequate transportation infrastructure is an important factor hindering the country's trade and economic development. In 2009, the construction of the North-South Highway project began in Armenia. It was supposed to be finished in 2019, but progress has been glacial. As recently as 2019, China expressed its willingness to participate in constructing the North-South Highway. The participation of Chinese companies has enabled the project to move forward quickly. Armenia says it hopes to complete the North-South Highway in eight to nine years.