An economic and trade delegation of the Changsha Municipal People's Government set off for Nigeria and Uganda for a 9-day inspection on April 19th, 2023. This event was the first visit of the Changsha delegation to Africa in three years, and also the first government delegation of Hunan Province to African countries on the occasion of the upcoming 3rd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE).
"This is an effective measure for Changsha to promote opening up, expand markets, and boost high-quality development," a person in charge of the Changsha Municipal Bureau of Commerce said. The visit will deepen the friendly exchanges between China and Africa; strengthen communication and cooperation between Changsha and Africa in trade, investment, education, and culture; and, introduce and promote the 3rd CAETE.
The 19 delegation members come from the municipal commercial authority, the industry and commerce federation, the foreign affairs office, the Yuhua District, and key enterprises such as Cofoe Medical Technology, Red Star, Fengri Power Electric, Overseas Home, and Gaoqiao. During its stay in Nigeria and Uganda, the delegation will call on the Chinese embassies, local government officials and business representatives; visit the key Hunan economic and trade enterprises; and, hold economic and trade investment promotion meetings.
Nigeria is Hunan's largest economic and trade partner in Africa and one of Changsha's most important African economic and trade cooperation partners of Changsha. In 2022, Changsha's import and export volume to Nigeria hit 2.814 billion CNY, an increase of 147% yearly. Since 2020, Changsha has invested 5 million USD into Nigeria, in actual use. In 2003, Changsha established a friendship-city relationship with Entebbe, Uganda, which is also the first of its kind since establishing diplomatic relations between China and Uganda. The Entebbe-Changsha Model Primary School is a true reflection of China-Uganda friendship.
Though thousands of miles apart, Changsha and Africa have become increasingly close in economic and trade, medical care, and cultural collaboration over the years. Changsha's foreign trade with Africa grew by 72.3% to 24.47 billion CNY. The growth rate was 29.5 percentage points higher than that of the provincial average and 57.5 percentage points higher than that of the national average. In the first quarter of 2023, Changsha's import and export volume to Africa was expected to grow by more than 50%.
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Yu Jiangjiang
Chinese source: Changsha Evening News
