Foreign news
China To Implement Objectives Of Cooperation Programs With Africa
Later in 2022, China will begin implementing the deliverables of the nine programs of cooperation with Africa set out by President Xi Jinping at the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in November.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s position during a media briefing on China’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations on Monday.
The nine programs of Africa-China cooperation for the next three years are geared towards adding new impetus to the growth of China-Africa relations. According to Wang Yi, China will begin by working on three priorities with African countries.
First, China will “vigorously advance” its anti-COVID-19 cooperation with Africa by fully providing one billion doses of vaccines to Africa and help the continent enhance its capacity for localized vaccine production.
Africa, which has the lowest vaccination rate globally, aims to vaccinate 60 percent of its population by the end of this year.
Of the one billion doses, 600 million doses are to be donated and 400 million doses will be provided through various avenues, such as joint production by Chinese companies and relevant African countries.
China is also expected to undertake 10 medical and health projects for African countries, in addition to sending 1,500 medical personnel and public health experts to Africa.
Wang Yi also said China will upgrade practical China-Africa cooperation by accelerating Belt and Road cooperation and work for early harvests under the nine programs spelled out by President Xi Jinping.
“We will synergize the Global Development Initiative (GDI) with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and take concrete actions to support economic recovery and sustainable development of Africa.”
China will also act on the outlook for peace and development in the Horn of Africa. As part of its peace and security program, China vowed to support African countries’ efforts to independently maintain regional security and fight terrorism and deliver military assistance to the African Union (AU).
Having appointed a special envoy to the region, Wang Yi said China was prepared to engage in “extensive communications” with regional countries and play a “constructive role” in helping secure peace in the region and continent in general.
Wang Yi also robustly refuted accusations of China leading Africa into a so-called “debt trap” by laying out the development record in the China-Africa cooperation.
Wang Yi said China has built 10,000km of railways, up to 100,000km of highways, close to 100 ports and several schools and hospitals across the continent.
These, he added, are “monuments of cooperation” and not debt-traps.
Foreign news
Pakistan Moves to Deepen Diplomatic, Economic Relations With Nigeria
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has called for deeper diplomatic and economic ties with the Nigerian government to foster development for both countries.
Mr Rana Ihsaan, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during his working vist to Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the visiting Coordinator held a closed-door meeting with Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting, he said that both both sides had agreed on deepening relations in the areas of trade and commerce, among others.
Ihsaan said that both countries must see the need to accelerate efforts towards a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
He said that Pakistan had already submitted a draft BTA and was awaiting Nigeria’s response.
According to him, discussions centered on easing visa processes, expanding educational exchanges, and strengthening Cooperation in sectors such as Minerals, Youth training, and Defence were highlighted.
Ihsaan said that Pakistan had already implemented visa-on-arrival for Nigerians at no cost, and urged Nigeria to reciprocate to enhance people-to-people ties.
He stressed the importance of high-level engagements between both nations, describing Nigeria and Pakistan as very similar countries with large populations, youthful demographics, and vast economic potentials.
“Deeper collaboration will unlock opportunities in trade, education and investment, while further solidifying long-standing diplomatic relations,” he said.
He said that aside from visiting the foriegn Minister and other top government officials in Nigeria, he was also in the country to attend the on-going West Africa Beauty Exhibition holding in Lagos.
He described the exhibition as one of the continent’s largest cosmetic fairs, adding that he led a delegation of 19 Pakistani business people exploring Nigeria’s estimated 10 million dollar beauty and cosmetics market.
Ihsaan said that Nigeria was a gateway to Africa, adding that Pakistani products, like cosmetics, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Food items and Sports goods were already gaining traction in the country.
He encouraged Pakistani exhibitors to establish offices, Warehouses and logistics partnerships to strengthen their foothold in the Nigerian market.
Ihsaan further addressed concerns from Nigerian businesses on the ease of doing business in Pakistan.
He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan had been supporting Nigerian participants at major exhibitions to achieve the ease of doing business.
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) serves as a one-stop platform for Nigerians interested in investing in Pakistan,” he said
Culled from NAN
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