BIZCHINA / Center
China opens 1st African economic zone in Lusaka
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-02-05 13:50
China launched its first African economic and trade cooperation zone in
the Zambian capital of Lusaka yesterday, Xinhua news agency reported.
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Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Zambian counterpart, Levy Patrick
Mwanawasa, jointly inaugurated the Zambia-China Economic and Trade
Cooperation Zone.
The zone's establishment is part of China's efforts to fulfill its
earlier promises to boost its full-fledged cooperation with African
nations.
At the Beijing Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation last
November, Hu announced eight measures to strengthen China-Africa
cooperation, including the establishment of three to five trade and
economic cooperation zones in Africa in the next three years.
"The aim of my African tour is to consolidate the traditional friendship
between China and Africa, implement the results achieved at the Beijing
summit, expand pragmatic cooperation and seek common development," Hu
said at the inauguration ceremony.
The Chinese government encourages and supports competent Chinese
enterprises to invest in the zone and make contribution to Zambia's
economic development and social progress, Hu said.
Mwanawasa pledged to further improve the investment environment and hoped
that more Chinese and foreign enterprises will settle in the zone,
bringing along with them know how and expertise necessary for the
development of the zone and Zambia at large.
The zone, located in Zambia's Copper Belt Province, is aimed at forming a
production chain with Chambisi Copper Smelter as the core enterprise.
The construction of the zone is expected to boost the development of
Zambia's light industry and the sectors of construction materials, home
electrical appliance, pharmacy and food processing, increase the
country's exports and create job opportunities for locals.
Hu arrived in Zambia on Saturday on a three-day state visit. Zambia is
the fourth leg of Hu's eight-nation African tour, which has taken him to
Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan. Hu will also travel to Namibia, South
Africa, Mozambique and Seychelles.
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