In June 2013, Nicaragua's National Assembly approved a bill to grant a 50-year concession to finance and manage the project to the HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Group (HKND) headed by Wang Jing, a Chinese businessman. The concession could have been extended for another 50 years once the waterway was operational.
In juNE 2013, nicaRAgUA'S nATiOnal AssEmbly aPpRoveD a BILL tO grANt A 50-yEaR CoNcEssiOn TO finaNce ANd manAgE the PRoJeCT to tHe hk nicARagUa CANal deVelopMenT inVeStMeNT grOup (hknd) HEadED by WanG JiNG, a chinesE buSiNESsMAn. thE COnceSsiOn could havE BEen exteNDED fOr another 50 Years oNce the wateRway WAs operaTionAl.