Guang Dong province, China’s prominent economic and trade hub is interested in strengthening its trade and investment ties with Ethiopia, provincial authorities said.

Guang Dong Provinces Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Mr Luo Jun told African journalists in the provincial capital Guangzhou that companies based in the province are keen to invest in infrastructure, energy development and tourism areas.

He also said Ethiopian government has became the first among African countries to open a consular office in the provincial capital Guang Zhou, where Ethiopian Airlines, the national carrier, flies five times a week furthering the rate of investment flow to the country.

Telecom companies, Huawei and ZTE and the newly launched light industrial city project by the shoe giant Hua Jian Group are mega investment projects that boost the level of ties between Guang Dong and Ethiopia.

Guang Dong’s trade connection with Africa has been progressing in the last few years hitting USD 49.39 billion in 2014 that accounts for 23.3 percent of China’s total trade balance with the continent. And its import and export comprises 25 percent of China’s total volume.

According to provincial authorities, thus far business enterprises based in the province have invested USD 2.3 billion and have signed USD 2.95 billion projects in Africa.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency