Cablegate: Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Jianguo's Dakar Visit
VZCZCXRO0135
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHDK #1523 2041635
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231635Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8839
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0114
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS DAKAR 001523
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/EPS AND AF/W
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV EFIN PREL ECON SG
SUBJECT: CHINESE VICE MINISTER OF COMMERCE JIANGUO'S DAKAR VISIT
1. Summary: Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wei Jianguo paid a
visit to Senegal on July 12-13. The visit included the signing of
four accords for economic cooperation and cultural projects. Wei's
thirty-member business delegation discussed opportunities with their
Senegalese counterparts. Senegal's Foreign Minister asked that
China be more accommodating to Senegalese traders and merchants who
want to work in China. End Summary.
CHINA TO MAINTAIN STRONG PRESENCE IN SENEGAL
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2. The four cooperation agreements signed include the construction
of classrooms and kindergarten schools, the building and
establishment of the Government's intranet network, the provision of
USD 40 million in preferential loans for the supply of electricity
to Dakar's outer districts, and the construction of a national
theater in Dakar worth USD 20 million. Minister of Foreign Affairs
Gadio, Minister of Commerce Ndiaye, Minister of Finance Diop,
Minister of Mining and Industry Niang, Minister of Agriculture,
Sall, Vice Minister of Commerce Wei, and the Chinese Ambassador
witnessed the signing ceremony.
3. In remarks to the press, Wei underlined that China will increase
its presence in Senegal, notably in the agriculture, public health,
industrial and public works sectors. He said: "we will support the
construction of new hospitals and new sports stadium in the newly
created regions of Sedhiou, Kedougou, and Kafrine, and contribute to
the modernization of Senegal's "cars rapides."
4. Gadio praised China's assistance to Senegal and stated: "our
cooperation with China has experienced such a tremendous growth that
we hope in a few years it will become a model for South-South
cooperation." Gadio noted: "we have already opened up our doors and
windows, and we invte China to open yours."
SENEGAL/CHINA TO FOOSTR TRADE COOPERATION
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5. About 30 Chinese company execuives discussed business
opportunities with their enegalese counterparts. Foreign Minister
Gadio old reporters that he pressed the Chinese delegatin to
welcome more Senegalese traders and merchants to China. Wei
"encouraged Chinese businessmen to import Senegalese products."
6. In 2006, Senegal exported about USD 10 million in goods to China
and imported USD 160 million, making the PRC Senegal's fourth
largest supplier. Chinese officials noted that 194 products,
including seafood, agriculture goods, minerals, chemicals, and
cotton are allowed to enter the Chinese market under a duty free
status.
Smith