Dakar, October 8th (Xinhua) – The China Enterprise Investment Forum, with the theme of “Chinese Enterprises Supporting Senegal’s Development,” was held on the 8th in the city of Diamniacou near the capital city of Dakar, Senegal. This forum is an important part of the second Senegal Investment Forum, attracting more than 300 attendees including Serbian government officials, representatives of over 150 Sino Serbian enterprises and business associations.
Abdurrahman Sal, Special Representative of the President of Senegal and Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation of Senegal, stated in his speech that for decades, Senegal and China have worked together to build a partnership based on South South cooperation and guided by common development, which has yielded fruitful results. At present, there are over 100 Chinese funded enterprises in Senegal, active in various fields such as transportation, energy, agriculture, and digital economy, injecting strong impetus into Senegal’s industrial transformation and economic revitalization. Serbia is willing to explore new models of future oriented economic cooperation with China and create a new pattern of win-win development.
Mabba Digne, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock of Senegal, said that for a long time, Chinese enterprises have won widespread praise from all sectors of society in Senegal for their professional spirit and innovation ability. They not only bring funds, but also technology and experience, providing strong support for the modernization of agriculture and food security in Serbia.
Amadou Gueye, Director of the Development and Promotion Bureau of Senegal Industrial Park, said that Chinese enterprises have played an important role in the construction of Senegal Industrial Park. The active participation of the chambers of commerce in Fujian, Zhejiang, and Hunan provinces injects new vitality into the cooperation between the two sides in industrial investment, innovative technology, new energy, and other fields. Serbia welcomes more Chinese enterprises to participate in the industrialization process.
Chinese Ambassador to Senegal, Li Zhigang, said that China is a sincere partner and important collaborator in the development and revitalization of Senegal. It has become the largest trading partner of Senegal, with an investment stock of over 430 million US dollars and created 11000 job opportunities for the local area. In the future, China will promote the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” initiative and the “Senegal 2050 Vision” in depth, helping Serbia to promote industrialization, digitization and agricultural modernization; At the same time, we will expand openness and sharing, deepen technological cooperation, promote people to people connectivity, and ensure that the fruits of cooperation benefit the people of both countries more.
During the forum, China and Serbia signed multiple cooperation agreements in energy, finance, environmental protection, and other areas.