By Huan Xiang, Chen Shangwen, Zhang Jinruo from People’s Daily

The fourth China-Arab States Expo was held in northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from September 5 to 8. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the opening ceremony of the event.

A total of 362 deals worth about 185.42 billion yuan (26 billion U.S. dollars) have been signed at the expo.

Adhering to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the event served well as a comprehensive national platform opening to the world. It focused on economic and trade cooperation and highlighted pragmatic results.

Over 2,900 regional organizations, chambers of commerce, associations and enterprises from 107 delegations in 89 countries attended the opening ceremony, as well as 8 exhibitions and investment promotion activities, 4 conferences and forums, and serial activities of theme province (Jiangsu).

A series of negotiations and investigations about trade, high-tech, Internet plus, digital economy, infrastructure and capacity cooperation were held during the expo, facilitating the reaching of a batch of cooperation agreements and practical results, which further demonstrated the role of the event to serve the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and promote economic and trade exchange.

Boydiel Houmeid, Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the expo, noting that Arab countries hope to establish a model of international cooperation featuring zero external interference, mutual understanding, mutual respect and win-win-results.

It is believed that more opportunities will be created for China-Arab states cooperation, said Houmeid.

Bilateral cooperation between China and Arab countries are seeing increasingly broad prospects for cooperation, said Shi Taifeng, secretary of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)), stressing that Ningxia will make good use of the important platform of the China-Arab States Expo to promote high-quality development of the BRI, so as to build a bridge between the enterprises from both China and Arab countries.

China and Arab countries have many ideas, opportunities and measures to be implemented, which will all help promote economic and trade exchanges between the two sides, especially in areas with comparative advantages such as agriculture, energy, technology, and industry, said Mahmoud Hassan Elamin, director of the Representative Office of the Arab League in Beijing.

A series of technology-themed activities were held during the expo, bringing technological cooperation into focus, including Modern Agriculture Exhibition & Agricultural Cooperation Dialogue, Innovative and Advanced Technologies and Equipment Exhibition & Technological Achievements Promotion and Matchmaking Meeting, and China—Arab States Technology Transfer & Innovation Cooperation Conference.

In September 2015, China-Arab States Agricultural Technology Transfer Center was set up in Ningxia as one of the moves to put into practice President Xi’s important proposal.

Over the past four years, eight bilateral technology transfer centers have been established in Arab nations by the national-level comprehensive cross-border technology transfer center under cooperation with relevant institutes.

Meanwhile, the center has also held multiple cross-border training sessions for technical personnel and facilitated a number of transfer and demonstrating projects of advanced technologies between China and Arab nations, such as the prevention and elimination of date palm pests.

The efforts to jointly build technology transfer centers have been productive, said Mahmoud Sakr, Egyptian Vice Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who on behalf of Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding with China on the establishment of the China-Egypt Technology Transfer Center two years ago.

The China-Egypt Technology Transfer Center offered opportunities for nearly 50 officials and young Egyptian scientists to go to China for training in such areas as innovation, incubator, and scientific park operation, Sakr introduced, adding that the two countries have carried out cooperation in four areas including smart agriculture and remote sensing technology.

It represents an important driving force for the development of scientific and technological innovation in Egypt, said Sakr.

So far, China has signed cooperation documents on joint construction of BRI with 18 Arab countries. As an important China-Arab nations platform for BRI construction, the China-Arab States Expo has played a positive role in promoting economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between China and Belt and Road countries including Arab nations.

Chinese-built railway has significantly facilitated communication between Djibouti and the outside world, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairman of the Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority (DPFZA) told People’s Daily.

The modern electric railway, connecting coastal and inland areas and operating on clean energy, largely reduces the transportation cost, said Hadi, extending his appreciation for China’s assistance in Djibouti’s infrastructure construction.

By Abel Leonard Nzwanke

Nasarawa State stakeholders in agriculture have called on the State Government to increase its budgetary allocation to the sector to 10 percent in line with the Maputo declaration.

They made the appeal in a communiqué issued at the end of a 1-day workshop on “Agriculture Budget Priorities” for Nasarawa State, organised by Oxfam Nigeria,  in Keffi.

According to Daybreak news the communiqué read by Mr Joshua Jonathan, President of the Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), on behalf of other stakeholders, noted that increased allocation and funding to the sector would enhance economic development and food security.

They also demanded for the inclusion of small holder farmers in the agricultural budget process in order to capture their needs and address their priorities.

The stakeholders also stressed the need for the recruitment, training and retraining of extension workers in the state to augment the 100 currently serving them.

They also encouraged the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme to collaborate with professional organisations, research institutes and non-governmental organisations to build the capacity of extension workers to impact on the production of small holder farmers.

Similarly, the stakeholders urged the state government to encourage farmers to engage in dry season farming by providing water pumps and and other infrastructure.

They maintained that irrigation farming was more profitable than rain-fed farming in the quest for sustainable food security.

Other areas of intervention sought by the stakeholders from the state government included improved technology farm inputs, proper guidance on how to access available credit facilities.
Also of concern to them was the need for the state government to make concerted effort through appropriate legislation to provide land for women and youth farmers in the state.
The group also encouraged the state government to upgrade all the seven grazing reserves in the state to boost livestock production.

By Jennifer Yusuf

The  Niger state All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, ahead of the November local government election in the state, has turned bloody following the alleged killing of two persons .

Report by Daybreak correspondent indicates  that violence erupted following the announcement of the result for Shiroro local government area leading to the death of two persons.

The Niger state police command however said one person was confirmed to have lost his life during the crisis.

1. .

Soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended five persons alleged to be amour bearers and suppliers of Benue State most wanted suspected criminal kingpin, Terwase Akawaza, popularly known as ‘Gana.’

The Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, paraded the suspects at the weekend alongside others arrested for various crimes in different states of Nasarawa, Taraba and Benue which made up the Operation’s areas of coverage.

Yekini told newsmen that of the five suspects, Dauda Atara and Andrew Imbwase nicknamed ‘Don Moji’ who are major armourers and supplier of weapons to Gana were nabbed in Abuja and Makurdi respectively while the remaining three were arrested during a raid operation at the kingpin (Gana)’s hometown of Gbise in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue state.

“I can tell you with every sense of responsibility that this crop of criminals are perhaps, the most deadly set of criminals that we have ever arrested since the inception of Operation Whirl Stroke and our hope is that, the prosecuting authorities will do a good job so that these people can be removed from the society for a very long time. “Recalled that we had a press briefing during which I promised that we shall be focusing on how to break the weapons supply chain that has been fuelling criminalities in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states. “I am very happy to inform you that we have been able to record some successes. Our star suspect today is Don Moji. He is the number one weapon supplier to Gana; he is responsible for between 80 and 90 percent of weapons that Gana has been using to terrorise the people of Benue state,” the OPWS commander narrated.

Meanwhile, the duo of Don Moji and Atara in an interview with newsmen admitted the allegations against them in connection with supplying arms and weapons. Moji confessed that, “I was contracted to supply weapons and I contacted somebody in Shendam Local Government area of Plateau State. The last time, I supplied 2000 ammunitions to politicians in Gboko and I got my supply through one Dauda Atara who is my friend. I am the one who led army to his house in North Bank after l was arrested. Dauda, on his part, said, “What Don Moji said is true because I was the one that gave him all the guns and ammunitions. It was not even three AK47 that we gave out to politicians but four. I supplied weapons to Gana but at a time l stopped because he wanted me to join his gang but I refused. I have been supplying guns to Gana since 2014. “I also supplied 2000 ammunitions to Moji and I got them from one Bala Igige in North Bank area of Makurdi.” He said.

By He Zhuoyan (People’s Daily Online)

Promotion meeting of Overseas Economic Cooperation Zones (He Zhuoyan/ People’s Daily Online)

“China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one corridor with many doors,” said Fareena Mazhar, Executive Director of the General of Board of Investment of Pakistan at the promotion meeting of Overseas Economic Cooperation Zones held on Sept. 6 during the China-Arab States Expo.

As an important carrier of the Belt and Road international cooperation, overseas economic and trade cooperation zones play an increasingly important role in international economic and trade exchanges. The building of economic corridors is an exemplary model to follow when it comes to international economic cooperation, whether it takes place in Pakistan or Arab countries or even in the world.

“In 2018, China’s FDI ranked second in the world and the stocking investment ranked third in the world, “said Liu Minqiang, Vice Director of Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation of Ministry of Commerce of China, affirming China’s important role in contributing to the global growth.

“We will take openness, inclusiveness and mutually benefiting as our guiding principles. We will allow the economic structure, natural endowment and cultural traditions of Belt and Road countries to connect with each other so that we could promote further connectivity while respecting the differences between different countries,” added Liu, addressing China’s willingness to cooperate with countries along the Belt and Road routes under the principle of mutual respects.

He also mentioned that it is pivotal to support market entities, build facilitation platform for cooperation and build demonstration industrial parks while following the philosophy of green development and sustainability.

As of the first half of 2019, Chinese enterprises have invested and constructed 113 cooperation zones in more than 40 countries, with a cumulative investment of 36.6 billion US dollars. More than 4,000 enterprises have entered the cooperation zones and have paid 3 billion US dollar taxes and dues to the host country, creating 265,000 jobs in the region.

The success of China’s economic cooperation with foreign countries was reaffirmed by Sun Yaoguo, the General Engineer of China Road and Bridge Corporation.

“Our works have been recognized by the foreign governments,” said Sun, “President Xi Jinping proposed that we need to promote the development of economic corridors and build economic and industrial parks. So, over the past years, the industrial parks have grown from zero to a big scale and have received tangible results. “

“We have also facilitated industrialization process of the Belt and Road countries, it is an important carrier for the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. The going out of Chinese companies are accelerating. One consensus is that overseas economic cooperation is an important platform for Chinese companies going abroad,” added Sun.

Sun’s words are echoed by Fareena Mazhar. During the meeting, she said that in the shape of CEPC, both governments have made joint efforts to focus on expanding economic dimensions of the relationships and bring it into industrial parks with excellent cooperation that two countries enjoy at economic and political levels.

“It is high time to go a step forward and do concrete and focused efforts on populating industrial zones either to invest in and build infrastructure or relocation of Chinese labor-intensive industry,” said Fareena, “The government of Pakistan is committed to providing business-friendly incentive packages aimed at up-scaling investment relations with China to grow the industries and employment.”

She also highlighted the advantage of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in terms of searching for future cooperation between Ningxia and Pakistan. “There are also plenty of sectors with absolute advantages in Ningxia that match those in Pakistan,” said Fareena, “I hope more and more enterprises from Ningxia can get better understanding of Pakistan in market and enter into cooperation.”

Several representatives from Chinese enterprises demonstrated investment advantages in countries along the Belt and Road routes, inlcuding demonstrations on Pakistan Rashakai Special Economic Zone, China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone and China-Egypt Mankai Textile Industrial Park, seeking opportunities for potential economic cooperation.

Liu Feng, Huan Xiang, Yu Limin, People’s Daily

The fourth China-Arab States Expo was held in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Sept. 5.

Cao Jianming, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, attended the opening ceremony, read a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping and delivered a keynote speech.

Aiming to enhance friendship, deepen cooperation and pursue common development, the expo attracted over 12,600 participants from 2,900 regional organizations, commerce chambers, associations and enterprises in 89 countries, outnumbering those of the three previous sessions of the event.

Guests from both home and abroad gathered at the Ningxia International Hall at the foot of Helan Mountain and by the Yellow River, to renew friendship and seek business opportunities.

Under the theme of “New opportunity, new future”, the event features trade fairs, forums and exhibitions on trade and investment, Internet plus, cross-border e-commerce, infrastructure, agriculture, etc., to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Arab states.

“I particularly investigated a livestock farm in Ningxia during my visit to China this time, as agriculture is an important industry in Mauritania and I hope to learn from China’s experiences,” said Boydiel Houmeid, Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

He told People’s Daily that the China-Arab States Expo provides an important platform for each party to strengthen mutual understanding and deepen cooperation, saying he hopes to gain practical results from the event.

The Republic of Niger takes great delight in participating in the expo, said Iro Sani, First Vice-President of the National Assembly of the country.

The China-Arab States Expo demonstrates the close relationship between China and the Arab countries as well as the fruitful results they have achieved, and such relationship not only exists at the governmental level, but also among the peoples of developing countries and China, he noted.

New opportunities lead to bright future. The four-day event, further carrying out the spirits of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, will host a series of activities including an opening ceremony, China-Arab States Business Summit, China-Arab States Technology Transfer & Innovation Cooperation Conference, Online Silk Road Conference and Serial Activities of Theme Province (Jiangsu).

These activities will establish a high-level platform for international politicians, business leaders and scholars to communicate, discuss cooperation opportunities, and work together for common development.

“Ningxia will make good use of the important platform of the China-Arab States Expo to promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), take opportunities and release potential, and further open air, land and internet passages to Arab states,” said Shi Taifeng, secretary of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Shi noted that the region will further improve the capacity cooperation and technology exchange mechanisms between China and Arab countries, and expand their cooperation in trade, technology, energy, agriculture and tourism.

The ancient Silk Road is a witness to the long history of the friendship between China and Arab states, as well as the collision and fusion of the two civilizations. So far, China has signed cooperative documents under the BRI framework with 18 Arab countries, and both sides have achieved fruitful results in infrastructure, energy, trade parks, high tech and finance cooperation.

It’s been almost ten years since the first China-Arab States Expo. The fourth session of the event today demonstrates a larger pattern and wider platform that are joined by more parties at a deeper level.

Located at the hinterland of the Northwest China, Ningxia is looking forward to opening more. Amid the unremitting efforts of the region to pursue development, a model of all-round, multi-level, and wide-ranging opening-up is gradually taking shape.

By He Zhuoyan (People’s Daily Online)

The Third China-Arab States Business Summit, held in Ningxia (Photo provided by China-Arab States Expo)

“We are willing to promote external trade and two-way investments with Arab states in order to pursue win-win cooperation so that businesses can conduct exchange and dialogues,” said Chen Jian’an, Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), during his opening speech at the Third China-Arab States Business Summit which was held in China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Sept. 5. 

Sponsored by CCPIT and the People’s Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region under the framework of the China-Arab States Expo, the summit was a platform for business-oriented cooperation and exchange.

Liu Kewei, vice chairman of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, affirmed the idea to create a fair environment for China-Arab cooperation. “We wish to create a business environment that is market-based, law-based and internationalized. We wish to increase trade and investment facilitation to boost the quality development of China-Arab business cooperation,” Liu said during his speech.

Themed on “Promote Economic and Trade Exchanges, Propel Practical Cooperation,” the Third China-Arab States Business Summit invited 500 representatives from government departments, large chambers of commerce, business associations and enterprises from China and Arab states, as well as other countries along the Belt and Road.

Speaking of the Belt and Road Initiative, Mahmoud Hassan Elamin, head of the Representative Office of the Arab League in Beijing, gave high praise to China’s BRI, noting “The BRI is the most important initiative proposed in the past decade. It is all-embracing, covering both innovation and development. There is no doubt that this initiative will promote an enormous change in cooperation,” said Mahmoud Hassan Elamin.

Khaled Mohamad Hanafy, Secretary-General of the General Union of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries also mentioned how the BRI had promoted cooperation that will bring mutual benefit to both sides. He said that China and Arab countries are complementary to each other, and both sides need to set eyes on the bigger picture and try to identify more opportunities under the framework of the Belt and Road.

Khaled Mohamad Hanafy, Secretary-General of General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries (Photo provided by China-Arab States Expo)

The summit also witnessed several report releases and project signings. This included the release of the Development Process of China-Arab States Economic and Trade Relations Annual Report 2018, a research report on the Third-Party Market Cooperation Opportunities between China and Arab States, the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on China-Arab Commercial Law and several economic and trade cooperation projects as well as the launch of China-Arab Commercial Law Service Platform.

Achievement release and project signing (Photo provided by China-Arab States Expo)

“This is a huge opportunity,” said Wen Gang, Vice President of China Communications Construction Co., Ltd.

“We will continue to strengthen and increase policy-strategy alignment and invest more resources into the economic and social development of Arab States and give full play to our industrial advantages in urban development, infrastructure construction and manufacturing in Arab states,” added Wen.

Several promotional meetings for countries and enterprises along the Belt and Road were also held after the summit as an important part of the Third China-Arab States Business Summit.