Given that some industries in China have overcapacity, we should discover new business opportunities in Africa and explore a wider market space." Recently, at the "2016 China Entrepreneur Boao Forum," Zhang Jiansong, chairman of Kenya Payne Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and chairman of Fujian Songying Industrial Co., Ltd., said in a keynote speech that the advancement of the national "Belt and Road" initiative and the major strategic layout of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have created more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to go global and enter Africa.
Zhang Jiansong introduced that the African continent is vast, rich in natural resources, and has a large population, gradually becoming a new emerging investment hotbed; however, it generally suffers from underdeveloped infrastructure, low production levels, and a weak processing and manufacturing industry. Africa's future development cannot be separated from external investment. As a major economy in the world today, China's investment in and entry into Africa has become a trend, with investment in Africa and import and export trade showing rapid development.
Data shows that Sino-African trade volume increased from US$10.6 billion in 2000 to nearly US$300 billion in 2015, making China Africa's largest trading partner.
In addition to large state-owned enterprises in energy, infrastructure, and communications, Chinese companies investing in Africa also include a significant number of small and medium-sized private enterprises, mainly in manufacturing, real estate, and services.
"While there are favorable opportunities such as low taxes, low labor costs, abundant and cheap energy, companies also face risks and challenges in terms of policy and market when investing in Africa." Zhang Jiansong believes that how to seize development opportunities and overcome difficulties and challenges is a question that many entrepreneurs entering Africa have been struggling with.
Regarding investment precautions, Zhang Jiansong said that firstly, it is necessary to fully understand policies and regulations and take measures to prevent investment risks; secondly, it is necessary to strengthen market research and select investment projects; thirdly, it is necessary to attach importance to enterprise management and prepare human resources; and fourthly, it is necessary to enhance awareness of prevention and ensure personal and property safety.
Zhang Jiansong also suggested that under the "Belt and Road" initiative, opportunities and challenges coexist, and overseas Chinese entrepreneurs urgently need to develop together. Participating in large and well-known international exhibitions to explore the African market is also very necessary.
Shandong Zhenghe International Exhibition has focused on African market development and research for more than ten years and has been hosting the Nigeria (Lagos) China Commodity Exhibition for ten consecutive years, becoming a "matchmaker" for many Chinese and African companies. "We believe that through our matchmaking, more and more domestic companies will successfully develop their own markets in Africa, which is also our ultimate goal." said the person in charge of Zhenghe Exhibition's Africa exhibition.
| Exhibition Name |
Date |
Location |
Exhibit Range |
| South Africa International Trade Fair |
6 19-21 Day |
South Africa
Johannesburg |
Hardware tools, light industrial products, home appliances and electronics, household goods, building materials and machinery, sporting goods, food and food processing machinery, etc. |
| Kenya China Trade Week (Phase 1) |
6 29 Day -
7 1 Day |
Kenya
Nairobi |
Vehicles, auto parts, heavy machinery, printing and packaging, rubber and rubber products, light industrial consumer goods |
| Kenya China Trade Week (Phase 2 Building Materials) |
7 6-8 Day |
Kenya
Nairobi |
Building materials; building hardware; building materials machinery; construction equipment |
| East Africa (Tanzania) International Building Exhibition |
7 2-4 Day |
Tanzania
Dar es Salaam |
Building materials; building hardware; building materials machinery; construction equipment; engineering and mining machinery |
| Nigeria (Lagos) China Commodity Exhibition |
11 8-12 Day |
Nigeria
Lagos |
Mechanical and electrical equipment, building materials, hardware tools, vehicles and accessories, home appliances and household goods, security and fire protection, plastics industry and products, beauty and hairdressing products, textiles and clothing, fitness equipment, sporting goods, pharmaceutical and health products and equipment, IT technology and products |
| Zhao Guoqiang 82770547 18653115602 Gao Debao 82770513 18766121880
Mao Mingda 82776798 15376190307 Liu Xiaopi 82770512 18769731725 Tu Yuanjing 86978317 13791011917 Liu Wei 82979515 15966138918 Email shandongzhenghe@126.com |
