On November 18th, 2nd Guangdong-Africa Exchange and Cooperation Week and 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Establish of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicked off in Guangzhou. It attracted over 300 attendees from the Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office, the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province and Guangdong Chamber of International Commerce as well as African companies to deepen the cooperation between companies in Africa and Guangdong.

[Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

According to Wang Rong, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Guangdong Provincial Committee, Africa is an important destination for Guangdong's overseas investment. The import and export trade volume between Guangdong and Africa rose from US$2.819 billion in 2003 to US$36.963 billion in 2019, accounting for 17.8% of China-Africa’s total import and export trade. Guangdong has set up nearly 300 overseas enterprises in Africa, and the amount of negotiated investment exceeds $2.5 billion.

Wang Rong, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Guangdong Provincial Committee(Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

Head of the Consular Delegation of African Countries in Guangzhou, Ms. Alima Danfakha Gakou recalled that the cooperation between China and African countries dates from the beginning of the continent's period of gaining independence. She also expressed deep gratitude for the efforts Guangdong never stop deploying towards the African continent for its socio-economic development and the well-being of populations there.

Consulates from Africa promote business opportunities

On the afternoon of November 18, a Promotion Conference on Guangdong International Business Opportunities — ‘Going to Africa’ was hosted by China Council for the promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Guangdong Committee, aiming to further strengthen the economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Africa.

Mr. Fang Lixu, President of CCPIT Guangdong Committee pointed out that in order to vigorously promote economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Africa, CCPIT’s Guangdong Committee has organized various investment promotion conferences and project negotiation meetings, which have become important channels for companies from the two places to strengthen cooperation.

Local foods from Ethiopia

As an important session of the conference, consulates from Angola and Ethiopia gave speeches to promote business opportunities in their own countries. According to Consulate General of Ethiopia in Guangzhou，Ethiopia is currently undergoing significant changes in opening up of the economy with a focus on enhancing the role of the private sector in the economy and attracting more foreign direct investment.

Author | Catherine

Editor | Keane, Jerry