The Hunan-Niger In-depth Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference, and also the signing ceremony for the Liaison Zone for Hunan-Niger Economic and Trade In-depth Cooperation, were held in Changsha on September 7, 2024. This is Hunan’s first liaison zone in Africa, which is expected to effectively promote win-win collaboration between Hunan and Africa.

The liaison zone will be built and operated by a Hunan-Africa international trade company, which is located in the Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone Changsha Area Yuhua Block. The zone will be located in Niamey, the capital city of Niger, with a planned area of about 6,900 mu (460.23 ha.).

“The first phase covering 1,500 mu (about 100 ha.) has been approved and the project planning has been launched. Multiple services will be included in the first phase, such as one-stop comprehensive services in the zone, comprehensive office services, exhibitions and promotions, brand incubation, and industrial processing,” said the manager of the operator.

More than 10 enterprises in the steel structure, power supply, and gypsum sectors have registered to locate in the zone. In the future, enterprises in the zone will support each other in expanding overseas operations, realizing cluster development and strengthening their risk resistance capacity.

Focusing on promoting import substitution and earning foreign exchange through exports, the liaison zone will be based on the “one zone, two parks, and multiple spots” structure, as well as the national plans of Niger. 

“One zone” refers to the “Hunan-Niger In-depth Economic and Trade Cooperation Liaison Zone”.

The “two parks” are a start-up park and a core park. As the first park to be opened in the zone, the start-up park will cover industrial, commercial and other comprehensive supporting functions with its brand center, integrated service center, and industrial processing center. As the core area, the core park will focus on the advantageous industries, including an industrial processing area and a logistics bonded area.

“Multiple spots” include start-ups of Hunan and Chinese enterprises and investments in Niger’s superior resources, as well as corresponding industrial processing bases, with the aim of maximizing utilization of the local resources.

Seydou Asman, Niger's Minister of Trade and Industry inked five MOUs with the operating company of the zone, involving the Hunan-Niger In-depth Cooperation Liaison Zone, a self-sufficient power plant, the Dosso logistics area, barter trade, and heavy-duty truck assembly.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn