The 2nd China International Supply Chain Promotion Fair concluded on November 30th in Beijing. In recent years, economic cooperation between China and Africa has deepened, covering key areas such as infrastructure development, green growth, and the digital economy. The fair, which highlighted the theme of “supply chain,” brought together more than 620 companies and organizations from both local and international markets. During the event, Alaa Ezz, Secretary General of the Africa Business Council, shared his insights on the future of China-Africa cooperation.
Ezz stated, “The fair, as a platform for cooperation and communication, not only provided opportunities for collaboration with Chinese companies and organizations but also offered a chance to open new paths for cooperation and build friendly relationships with participants from around the world.” He emphasized that the two most important issues discussed at the fair were logistics and free trade. “From our perspective, the key aspects of the fair were transportation and logistics, followed by free trade. I believe that customs duties or non-tariff barriers hinder international trade, and ultimately, the cost is paid by consumers and ordinary citizens,” he added.
Ezz stressed that Africa is open to global cooperation and values its relationship with China. “As Africa’s most important trade and investment partner, China makes substantial investments in infrastructure projects, contributing to the development of Africa’s ports, railways, and highways. This provides landlocked African countries with opportunities to connect to the global market,” he explained.
Ezz also highlighted the significance of China’s Belt and Road Initiative for Africa, describing it as “an important bridge linking the African continent with China and the world.” He noted that the Suez Canal and Alexandria Port are symbols of China-Egypt cooperation and that these projects are creating new development opportunities.
As the global digital transformation accelerates, Africa aims to make significant strides in the digital economy. Ezz stated that Africa has great potential in e-commerce and digital services and that China’s technology and investments will play a crucial role in Africa’s digital transformation. Looking ahead, he expressed his belief that the cooperation with China will play an important role in helping Africa achieve a more prosperous and sustainable future.