(Ambassador Adovèlandé, the linchpin of the forum’s success)
Long-standing partners, Benin and China are investing in strengthening their economic cooperation. As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sino-Beninese friendship (2023), the Embassy of Benin in China, the Magazine “China Economic and Trade” and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin (CCI Benin ) jointly organized on April 2, 2023, in Beijing, an “Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum”. It was in the presence of several businessmen from both countries and ambassadors from various countries.
Striving to build a solid economy thanks to a solid industrial fabric and vector of inclusive development, Benin, after half a century of bilateral cooperation with the middle empire, China, is multiplying initiatives for a more dynamic partnership. The Sino-Beninese economic and commercial cooperation forum organized in Beijing on Sunday April 2 is part of this dynamic. Jointly organized by the Embassy of Benin in China, the Magazine “China Economic and Trade” and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin (CCI Benin), this meeting which was held around the theme: “cooperation China-Beninese Economic and Trade Development in a New Era”, has made it its mission to strengthen Sino-Beninese cooperation within the framework of the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative and the Sino-Beninese Cooperation Forum. African.
This, in the logic that the strengthening of Sino-Beninese bilateral economic and trade development, cooperation in agricultural modernization and the increase of Chinese investments are important elements to take advantage of the advantages of Sino-Beninese resources and mooring experiences. At this meeting, which marks a new page in economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries, several agreements were signed. These include, among others, the signing of a framework agreement for economic and commercial cooperation with the Embassy of Benin; the signing of a framework cooperation agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin and the Economic Joint Committee of China Commercial Stock Enterprises. Beyond that, this forum will have enabled “Matching between Chinese companies and a dozen Beninese companies for cooperation in the sectors of manufacturing and processing, trade, science and technology, renewable energies, agriculture, agricultural machinery and equipment, biotechnology (medicine), construction materials, tourism, minerals and services, etc.
In his address on the occasion, Simon Pierre Adovèlandé, Ambassador of Benin in China expressed his gratitude to all those who “agreed to write together with the organizers, the vision of the new era of economic and commercial cooperation between Chinese and African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and Beninese in particular”. This paradigm shift, according to him, has “the objective of creating new types of partnerships, which integrate the conversion and modernization of traditional manufacturing industries, the increase in the productivity of Beninese SMEs, the complementarity between of the two countries, for the common development of business”.
Taking place as a prelude to the third edition of the Sino-African economic and trade exhibition which will take place from June 29 to July 02, 2023, in Changsha in Hunan Province, this forum was, moreover, an opportunity for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Aurélien Agbénonci, to present the investment and trade opportunities that Benin abounds. From PAG 1 and 2, he did not fail to present the challenges of the Beninese government. Better, the opportunity was for the Minister to expose the economic prowess of Benin in particular the development of the Special Economic Zones which are governed by a law passed in 2017. “Thus, the Special Economic Zone of Glo-Djigbé (GDIZ) has seen the day. This area, which already hosts major investors, will make Benin an industrial hub for the processing of agricultural products, in particular cashew, cotton, shea, pineapple, soybeans, etc. “, he explained by videoconference. Wanting to be more reassuring, the Minister reassured that “the government, far from being satisfied with these encouraging results, wants above all to rely on them to affirm within the framework of this forum that Benin is a politically stable, democratic , geographically well located in West Africa”.
Present at this meeting, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin (CCI Benin) did not fail to share with Chinese private sector players the many opportunities that Benin offers to investors. In this regard, “Benin is an open door to the large West African market of approximately 400 million consumers. Benin can, with your help, become Africa’s breadbasket and workshop. “, will he support; before adding: “Investing in Benin means investing in a country of peace which is characterized by exemplary political stability”.
Falco Vignon
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