Africa-China expo launched in Ethiopian capital

ADDIS ABABA - The 2015 Africa-China Commodities, Technology and Services Expo and Chongqing Export Commodities Expo was launched on Thursday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

The three-day Expo from Nov 12 to 14 is also coincided with The China-Ethiopia Industry and Commerce Cooperation Forum with aim of enhancing business cooperation among China, Ethiopia, and other African nations.

More than 100 well-known enterprises and brands from dozen of municipalities and provinces of China are participating in the Expo, which is said to promote exchanges and cooperation between businesses from China, Ethiopia, and other African nations and also sound development of bilateral and multilateral business relations.

Speaking at the opening of the Expo, Qian Keming, China's Vice-Minister of Commerce, noted that the Expo would contribute to enhancing the overall cooperation and in the industrialization partnership between China and Africa.

"During the China-Ethiopia Industrial and Commerce Cooperation Forum, the two business communities can discuss ways and channels for pragmatic cooperation and implement the important consensuses of the two leaders on enhancing the comprehensive cooperative partnership," stated the Vice-Minister.

Stating that China is advancing its cooperation with Africa in various areas, the Vice-Minister said his country would continue to facilitate in expediting industrialization in Africa and take the China-Africa cooperation to higher level.

"I believe this (The Expo) is significant to overall cooperation between China and Africa to upgrade industrialization and partnership between China and Africa," noted Qian.

He also stated that China is taking measures to address activities that tarnish the image and reputation of "Made in China" in overseas markets and to enable good standard and quality products to different overseas markets including in Africa.

In his remarks, Sufian Ahmed, Advisor Minister to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, reiterated that China has cooperation with Ethiopia in development of infrastructure, railway, the energy sector, the water, which has highly contributed to the economic growth in Ethiopia.