STORY: China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo highly important for the DR Congo: minister
DATELINE: June 30, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:50
LOCATION: Kinshasa
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo
2. SOUNDBITE (French): JEAN-LUCIEN BUSSA TONGBA, DRC's external trade minister

STORYLINE

The third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo kicked off on Thursday in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province. The expo aims to welcome more "Made in Africa" products into China and boost business links between the two sides.

Themed "Common Development for a Shared Future," the four-day event will be attended by representatives from 53 African countries and multiple international organizations.
 
SOUNDBITE (French): JEAN-LUCIEN BUSSA TONGBA, DRC's external trade minister
"This exposition is a very huge opportunity for the DR Congo (DRC) who is an important partner with China. For us, we can present China the investment opportunities in the DRC, the improving the business climate of the DRC, so that there would be more Chinese investments in the DRC in the sectors as diversified as possible, such as the agriculture, mineral sectors that China are already aware of. We also want to take this opportunity to continue to strengthen our economic and commercial cooperation with China.
The expo is a great opportunity for the DRC to promote its exportation. Apart from the mineral sector, we wish to extend our commercial exchanges to other domains.
Besides the business talks, we are also in China for the experience-sharing. China's experiences in economic development are so enormous that the DRC, which is a developing country, should learn from China.
Our priority in China will focus on firstly the exchanges of the connectivity of high-quality infrastructure, the next would be the exchanges of the agricultural supply chain, which is a subject that interests the whole world. We will also participate in the events for special promotional event for African countries.
The DRC government prioritizes the diversification of its economy, which would also be a priority that I would share with Chinese investors. It corresponds to our internal need, the world market's need and certainly the need of the Chinese investors. Certainly the Chinese model reassures us.
China has, over the past four decades, shown us that it is possible to realize a great leap. The partnership with China could allow the DRC to realize its leap. China is a country constantly on the move. Countries like the DRC need to know where comes from this dynamism.
Being there psychically allows us to see it and feel it. China is a very privileged partner for the DRC. I have the confidence to say that Chinese model works. It is in all of our interests to step up our economic and commercial relations with China. We should seize each opportunity to share experiences with China both in the sector of the imports, and that of the exports."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kinshasa.
(XHTV)