Benin seeks expanded collaboration with Ningbo

A delegation headed by Beninese Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari visits Ningbo, Zhejiang province. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Beninese Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari extended an invitation for increased participation from Ningbo enterprises in the industrial development of Benin during a recent visit to the city located in East China's Zhejiang province.

During the visit from March 29 to 30, Bakari emphasized Benin's substantial production of crops such as cotton and cashews, along with its rich reserves of ceramics and other raw materials. He expressed his desire to attract more Ningbo enterprises to invest in Benin, with support from the government and through market-oriented operations.

The Benin delegation conducted inspections at several key locations in Ningbo, including the Chuanshan Wharf of Ningbo Zhoushan Port, Shenzhou International Group, and Ningbo Polytechnic. They also participated in a symposium focusing on collaboration between enterprises from Ningbo and Benin to further deliberate on partnership matters.

A day prior to their visit to Ningbo, Bakari engaged in discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. During the meeting, Bakari expressed that China is a significant and essential partner for Benin in achieving national development.

"Visiting Ningbo holds great significance for me," Bakari emphasized, highlighting the importance of further advancing specific cooperation with Ningbo to implement crucial agreements between the leaders of both nations.

The exchanges between Ningbo and Benin have a longstanding history and are progressively becoming more intimate.

In 2008, the Benin China Economic and Trade Development Center, established by Zhejiang Teams International Co Ltd, a Ningbo-based enterprise, was completed in Cotonou, Benin. Furthermore, in 2012, Ningbo established a friendly relationship with Cotonou. Over the past decade, both sides have achieved fruitful cooperation in the realms of economy, trade, education, and culture.

It has also been revealed that the China-Benin Friendship Garden, a project initiated by Ningbo in Cotonou, is anticipated to be completed by September of this year.

Situated in the central-southern region of West Africa, Benin shares its eastern border with Nigeria and boasts a population of 13.4 million. The nation's economy is primarily supported by agriculture and transit trade.