The Research Team of the Belt and Road International Infrastructure Cooperation Visits Eastern Africa and Middle East
The research team of the Belt and Road International Infrastructure Cooperation visits Ethiopia, Kenya and United Arab Emirates from March 28 to April 6. This project is organized by China Development Research Foundation and co-organized by China International Contractors Association. Caterpillar, Inc is the sponsor of this project. Delegates from China Communications Construction Corporation Ltd., China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd., China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd., China National Machinery Industry Corporation, Power Construction Corporation of China Ltd., China Gezhouba Group Company, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation Ltd. and China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation attend this research visit project. Fang Jin, the Deputy Secretary-General of China Development Research Foundation, leads the delegation.
Delegates visit Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia from March 28 to March 30 for the African Union Conference Center and Office Complex project, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia project and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport expansion project supported and run by China. The team also had discussion with delegates of corporations from Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Africa, and delegates from research centers, colleges and corporations include Policy Study And Research Center, The Ethiopian Development Research Institute, Addis Ababa University, etc.
During Mar 30 to Apr 1, delegates visit the authorized construction equipment dealer in Kenya, Mantrac Kenya Ltd., Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Kenya, Chinese firms based in Kenya, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway project and local office of China Road and Bridge Corporation.
Delegates visit Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates from April 2 to April 5. During the visit a discussion is arranged with Economic and Commercial Section of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai. Delegates visit the construction equipment dealer in Middle East, Al Barhar company, Eversheds Sutherland law firm, local offices of Power Construction Corporation of China Ltd. and Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Corporation Ltd., Caterpillar’s parts distribution centers in Middle East and Africa.
During research delegates widen views on infrastructure field from individual construction projects to the entire industry value chain include raw materials procurement, equipment distribution, project design, construction, supervision, funding, operational management, impact assessment, etc.; expands angles of researching from economy alone to more dimensions include political, social and environmental factors.
During the 10-days research visit, delegates recognize great opportunities for relevant countries and Chinese firms brought by Chinese Belt and Road initiative. The initiative is well received by government, firms, research centers and social organizations of developing countries involved in this initiative. The new “do business together, build together, share together” cooperation mode has shown enthusiastic energy. It has a solid base and a bright future in the infrastructure and energy field.
During the visit delegates deeply understand the risks and challenges of Chinese international construction contractors facing in globalization include political, social, public safety, economic and legal risks, market competition, localization, corporate social responsibility, etc. and discuss how to face these challenges from national, industrial and enterprise-level; enhance the overall competitiveness and influence of Chinese firms; build a strong brand image, etc. with delegates from frontline corporations.
From meeting with local construction equipment dealers, international equipment distributors, local firms and corporations, delegates further study how to build solid, lasting partner relationships and share advanced management ideas and systems with local firms.
Delegates comments highly of the unique exchanges enabled by the study visit, adding that it has provided valuable insight for their firm’s next step in participating in the OBOR initiative.
