Morocco To Host Sino-African Entrepreneurs Summit – OpEd

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On November 26-27, 2015, over 300 business leaders, investors and financial decision makers from Africa and China will be meeting in Marrakech for the first Sino-African Entrepreneurs Summit (SAES).

This Forum will provide a convenient venue the Sino-African Cooperation Forum (FCSA) to celebrate its 15th anniversary. In fact, bilateral trade is over US$210 billion, 2,500 Chinese businesses have been established in Africa and have invested more than US$60 billion since 2004. According to the press statement, the summit is meant to offer “exceptional business networking and information exchange platform to participants, creating outstanding possibilities for long term economic partnerships” which in turn will accelerate industrial development on the African continent.

The “One Belt, One Road” initiative aims address these concerns and redefine the policy of China towards Africa by opening up a whole new era in business relations. This strategy will reinforce partnerships between African and Chinese businesses, encouraging the transfer of knowledge and the creation of added value for the continent.

The summit is jointly organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Commerce, Investment and the Digital Economy and by GL Events, Groupe Jeune Afrique and BOAO Business Consulting and will be held at Four Seasons Resort.

Since 2004, over 2500 businesses have been established in Africa investing over $60bn. The bilateral trade between Africa and China is valued at approximately $210bn.

The Sino-African Entrepreneurs Summit is therefore an ideal context for developing synergies in fields such as finance, industry, energy, environment, urbanization, health and culture. So the selection of Morocco to host this highly important forum is no surprise especially that Morocco’s efforts to give the South-South cooperation a face full of solidarity, has resulted in its continued commitment to noble causes of peace and development, as well as its constant position to express solidarity towards the concerns of developing countries, and their aspirations for progress and well-being.

Morocco has initiated many African countries to triangular cooperation, rich and varied, based on a true partnership and effective solidarity, in addition to cooperation programs implemented bilaterally. It has many advantages and allows many African countries to benefit from the know-how and expertise already experienced in the land of Africa and to overcome the lack of budgetary resources.

Morocco will continue to be present in Africa and reinforce south-south cooperation to contribute to the development of the African continent and collaborate with key partners and allies to bring peace, stability and prosperity to the African continent.

Said Temsamani

Said Temsamani is a Moroccan political observer and consultant, who follows events in his country and across North Africa. He is a member of Washington Press Club.

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