By Jenipher Asiimwe (our correspondent in Beijing, China)
Hundreds of trade and investment enthusiasts, activists, innovators, entrepreneurs, policy makers and change-makers recently gathered in Jinhua City in Zhejiang , China’s innovation hub located in the Eastern part of the country to participate in the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation.
Part of the Forum was the Chinese Committee Meeting of the China Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference
Organized by Jinhua Municipal People’s Government, co-organized by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,Jinhua Committee and hosted by the China Chamber of International Commerce, the session involved presentations on strategic and visible ventures and returns from the China – Africa Trade and Investment partnerships.
Sun Xiao the Secretary General for China Chamber of International Commerce thanked Jinhua for maintaining its status of being one of the vibrant cities for China-Africa trade and investment in Zhejiang Province and China at large. Jinhua has maintained the lead in spinning the relations through fostering industry, E-commerce cooperation and improvement of the health sector.
Li Wei, Vice Chairman China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Zhejiang Provincial Committee congratulated the Jinhua Municipal People’s Government and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade , Jinhua Committee for organizing such a successful event which will further strengthen the Africa- China partnerships.
Li hopes the forum creates more trade and investment partnerships for the province especially in the manufacturing sector, fruits and tech innovation activities.
Wang Zhiqiang, Member of Standing Committee of CPC Jinhua Municipal Committee noted that the 11000sqkm city is Zhejiang’s 4th largest metropolitan, a leader in the 2013 founded Belt and Road Initiative and among the 100 Chinese cities leading in foreign trade and investment.
He also noted that the investment and trade partnership between China and Africa is so huge with countries like Ethiopia, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria , Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa among other countries thus facilitating the cross border trade between the two partners. That over 8000 Africans come to China to do business annually. He emphasized the strengthening of cultural exchange and mutual learning, building of overseas warehouses, establishment of free trade zones, preparing and facilitating the exchange of goods between China and Africa
He asked all investors to come and invest in Jinhua as stakeholders combine efforts to build a community of a shared future emphasized at the Beijing FOCAC 2024, in early September.
Cai Xiangyang, Director of Overseas Business Department, China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation Ltd appreciated the 24 year old cooperation between Jinhua and Zhejiang in particular and emphasized more partnership in the Green Economy, meteorology, the financial sector, more trade cooperation to improve people’s livelihoods and facilitate economic growth. Among the key developments from the China-Africa partnership he pointed out is the Maputo Bridge in Mozambique, several projects in Ethiopia, Morocco among other African countries. He also asked the need to organize more activities especially at embassies to sensitize and mobilize businessmen, the young people among other business enthusiasts to economically benefit from the partnership.
Power China says that Africa is a major contributor to power generation in Africa and has won over 1000 contracts in 51 African countries. Among the projects include the Wind Power project of Morocco, Power Dams in Ethiopia and Sudan, expansion and bulding of airports in several African countries, training camps in both Angola and Nigeria to implement President Jinping’s vision of developing Africa. He noted that Chinese business men should invest in Africa because of the continent’s favourable trade and investment climate.
Zukhanye Mbasa Satyi, General Mayor of the Office of the Executive Mayor Buffalo City South Africa, who made a presentation of the developments in his city that have resulted from the China- Africa Investment and Trade partnership praised China’s investment in South Africa and Africa at large which have improved people’s livelihoods.
Ofwono Opondo, the Executive Director Uganda Media Centre, noted that Uganda and Africa at large need to do a lot as regards skills, capital and mineral based resources are concerned. He further noted that 90 percent of Ugandans invest in agri-business ,an opportunity China should utilize to further strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Zhang Huarong ,Chairman Huajian Group, a prominent Chinese company in Ethiopia employing over 12000 workers encouraged fellow Chinese to invest in Africa as well. He said that the company has donated over 50 million USD to support local infrastructural development. The land lease he acquired from the Ethiopian Government for the construction of a Light Industry Park will improve the lives of the 120 million population of the country.
A representative from the New Development Bank, the BRICS bank headquartered in Shanghai, China, noted that the bank is aimed at boosting the use of renewable energy, water transport and infrastructure in the member countries and China as a member is morally materially and financially contributing to the projects thus their steady progress.
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