An economic and trade cooperation zone was launched by China in
the Zambian capital of Lusaka on Sunday. This is China’s first ever
such enterprise in an African country. ?
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
earlier promises to improve fully-fledged cooperation with African
nations.
Hu announced at the Beijing Summit of the Forum of China-Africa
Cooperation (FOCAC) last November eight measures designed to
strengthen collaboration including the establishment of three to
five trade and economic cooperation zones in Africa over 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 of FOCAC, expand pragmatic cooperation and
seek common development," Hu said at the inauguration ceremony.
The government would encourage and support qualified Chinese
enterprises?in their?investment in the zone and efforts
to make a 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 would locate in
the zone bringing along with them ‘know how’ and expertise
necessary for the development of the zone and Zambia in general.
?
The zone, located in Zambia's Copper Belt Province, is designed
to form a production chain with the Chambisi Copper Smelter as the
core enterprise.
The establishment of the zone is expected to boost the
development of Zambia's light industries and the construction
materials, home electrical appliance, pharmacy and food processing
sectors, increase the country's exports and create job
opportunities.?
Hu arrived in Zambia on Saturday on a three-day state visit.
Zambia is the fourth leg of his eight-nation African tour which has
taken him to Cameroon, Liberia and Sudan. Hu will also travel to
Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and the Seychelles.
(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2007)