STORY: BRI helps promote industrialization and diversification of economy for Eritrea: expert
DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:40
LOCATION: Asmara
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of street views in Eritrea
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FIKREYESUS AMAHAZION, Researcher and analyst in the Eritrean Center for Strategic Studies
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FIKREYESUS AMAHAZION, Researcher and analyst in the Eritrean Center for Strategic Studies

STORYLINE:

Cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a crucial impetus for promoting industrialization and diversification of Eritrea's economy, said an Eritrean expert.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FIKREYESUS AMAHAZION, Researcher and analyst in the Eritrean Center for Strategic Studies
"This is the 10th year (anniversary) of the BRI and we know that over 150 countries are part of the BRI framework. We also have over 30 international organizations around the world as part of the framework and it is very positive for Eritrea to join this important initiative.
And for Eritrea, we think that it will help to promote industrialization and promote diversification of the economy for the country. We all know that China has achieved massive developmental progress in a short period of time and so that is very positive for Eritrea to join this initiative and learn from that type of experience."

The Eritrean expert underscored the positive win-win advantages of BRI cooperation for the two countries.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FIKREYESUS AMAHAZION, Researcher and analyst in the Eritrean Center for Strategic Studies
"China is Eritrea's leading trade partner. It is one of the leading sources of investment and we see engagements in terms of health. We have also seen a lot of students visiting China for scholarships or short workshops and exchanges. We also have a very productive cooperation within the agricultural sector.
Human capacity development, that's one area that Eritrea is looking forward to strengthening. Another area could be in terms of infrastructure, in terms of industrialization, in terms of things like roads, railroads, and improving the capacity of the ports in our country."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Asmara.
(XHTV)