CHINESE VICE MINISTER OF COMMERCE JIANGUO'S DAKAR VISIT

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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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