These days, Mr. Lv Weidong, Chairman of Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group Co., Ltd and Deputy Honorary Dean of Institute for African Studies of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, are busy with the overall planning of China (Guangdong)-Uganda International Capacity Cooperation Industrial Park, a mineral resources development industrial park. Thinking highly of environment protection, the industrial park has drawn lessons from China's experience in industrial development and pollution control, and the first phase of it will be put into operation on October 9th, 2018.

“China has ever suffered loss due to the concept of 'developing first, controlling later', from which we learn, therefore, we attach great importance to environment protection despite the increasing investment”, said Mr. Lv.

On the one side of the industrial park, taking Uganda's climate and soil condition into consideration, Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Co., Ltd. develops farmland for developing fertilizers for various crops and builds manure treatment plants to produce organic fertilizers which will increase crop yields. These ideas are inspired by China's experience in characteristic park development.

Communication between Chinese Worker and Ugandan Worker

In recent years, some African countries are devoted to establishing industrial parks and special economic zones, aimed to drive economic and social development. China's experience in industrial park development and investment definitely fertilizes African industrial parks.

In Nigeria-Guangdong Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, the second phase project, with an area of 20 square kilometers, is under construction. According to Zhu Layi, CEO of Guangdong New South Group Co., Ltd., more than 50 enterprises have already entered start-up area with an area of 2.24 square kilometers, most of which have been put into operation, and about 5,000 local employees have been employed. In 2017, the annual output value of these enterprises exceeded 1.5 billion yuan. Every year, more than 1000 new employees are employed.

At present, Goodwill (Nigeria) Ceramic Co.,LTD and another China's enterprise manufacturing cartons are regarded as industry leaders in Nigeria.

"Learning from China's experience, we make use of local resources and build an urban complex which focuses on manufacturing and integrates logistics, R&D, exhibition and life" said Zhu Layi.

China (Guangdong)-Uganda International Capacity Cooperation Industrial Park is Under Construction

Compared to developed countries, China can provide more practical experience for African countries.

According to Miss Huo Jiangtao, dean assistant of IAS, GDUFS, at present, China’s investment stock in Africa has already exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars; in Africa, China has built more than 20 economic zones and plans to build more parks in new type. As statistics from National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China shows, the import and export of China and African countries increased by 12.4% in the first quarter of this year.

Tefala Melese Dasta, Ethiopian Consul General in Guangzhou, is busy visiting various industrial parks in Pearl River Delta. He thinks that great changes are taking place in Africa owing to China's experience.

In Kenya, since it launched pre-investment in March, the Pearl River Special Economic Zone, dominated by China's enterprises, has attracted nearly 100 companies from around the world. Most preferential policies of the Pearl River Special Economic Zone are inspired by China's experience in developing the same type of industrial parks, such as establishing one-stop service point for government's approval of department joint office, and providing income tax, value-added tax, import tariff incentives or exemption for enterprises in the zone.

China's Enterprises in Nigeria-Guangdong Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone

According to Miss Huo Jiangtao, learning from experience in foreign investment, China's enterprises are paying more and more attention to the fulfillment of social responsibilities and  compliance with international market rules. China's enterprises do make great contributions to African society by improving infrastructure, constructing schools and hospitals, setting up public welfare funds and conducting public welfare skill training.

In order to satisfy the needs of the venture capitalists, some industrial service platforms have emerged. In early June, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee announced the preparations for the establishment of Africa-Guangdong Federation of Industry and Commerce. As one of the initiators of the Chamber of Commerce, Zhu Layi said that in the future, the Chamber of Commerce would build a chain park, establish institutes for African strategic development research and African Business School, and cultivate talents specializing in investment management, so as to overcome difficulties of the lack of financial support and unfamiliar political environment.

"We will guide the capacity cooperation between Guangdong and African countries, help with the link of government and private resources, and deepen mutual understanding between China and Africa," said Lin Tao, President of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee. 

(Reporting by Wang Pan, Ding Le)

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