STORY: Cooperation with China helps Africa realize blue economy aspirations
SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage
DATELINE: June 6, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:01
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of aquatic products in China
2. various of Kenyan anchovies ready to import to China
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SALIM MVURYA, Cabinet secretary for Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of Kenya
4. various of Kenyan aquatic products
5. various of Chinese expert in Uganda
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN TAIHUA, Chinese expert
7. various of the construction site of a modern fish port in Jamestown
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BIAN LIANG, Project manager of CHEC Tanzania Maritime Project Department

STORYLINE:

China has carried out fishery cooperation with nearly 20 African countries.

In 2022, Chinese Customs authorized the import of Kenyan aquatic products.

The first batch of Kenyan anchovies for import to China was showcased at the third edition of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in 2023.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SALIM MVURYA, Cabinet secretary for Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of Kenya
"My message for this day is that it's very historic. It's a very historic moment because it's the first time that an export of this nature is made."

According to the African Union's Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the total gross value-added of fisheries in Africa is estimated to be 1.26 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of all African countries. The scale of Africa's blue economy is projected to increase to 405 billion U.S. dollars by 2030.                    

However, the sector still faces some challenges such as immature fishery technology, a lack of professional talents, insufficient investments and backward infrastructure.

In November 2022, nine Chinese experts arrived in Uganda to implement a three-year experience-sharing project.

The Chinese-built Aquaculture Research and Development Center is an achievement under the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations-China South-South Program.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN TAIHUA, Chinese expert
"Through training programs, on-site demonstrations, and technical guidance, we want to establish an aquaculture management system for Uganda. We also hope to help them establish a set of fish-farming operating instructions and a sales system for aquaculture seeds and feed."

By March 2024, the Chinese team had carried out pond farming technology and market sales training in 10 regions in Uganda, benefiting hundreds of people.

In Ghana, a Chinese company is building a modern fish port in Jamestown, a traditional fishing community on the shore of the Gulf of Guinea.

After more than three years of construction, the port is expected to be handed over soon. 

With a fully functional dock, a fish market and a fish processing plant, the port will become a complex where fishermen can park their boats, unload, maintain facilities, store fish, and engage in trading and further processing.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BIAN LIANG, Project manager of CHEC Tanzania Maritime Project Department
"We are building a fish port and also all facilities for the fishery business. During the operation period, it will bring 30,000 workers positions, direct or indirect through the fishery business."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)