China’s joint ventures with African countries are being signed at an amazing frequency. The newest is a joint venture between China’s Great Wall Computer Group Corporation and the network for Algerian Broadband called EEPAD, for manufacturing netbooks. The $ 4 million project has a 30% stake from the Chinese company and will produce 100,000 netbooks in the first year and 200,000 by the end of the second year. The company claims to have an order for 150,000 netbooks already for the African market, and therefore plans to continue increasing capacity till 500,000 netbooks annually. This is the first manufacturing facility that the great Wall Computer Company has invested in, and plans to set up many more across Africa in the coming years. EEPAD is Algeria’s VOIP and ADSL operator in Algeria, and its stake of 70% involves $2.8 million.
The cooperation between Algeria and China has been continuing for many years and is presently on a strong footing. The mutually advantageous economic ties have been reinforced by frequent visits of top leaders of both countries. Trade between the two countries hovers around the $4 billion mark. Some 40 Chinese companies with many thousands of employees have set up businesses in Algeria in the fields of mining, energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, hydro projects and construction. The 1200 km expressway being constructed from the east to west Algeria is being constructed by the Chinese to serve as an arterial route in North Africa’s costal regions. Algeria’s rich reserves of oil and natural gas are a major attraction for China and its two big companies Sinopec and CNPC are already exploring these natural resources.
Besides economic cooperation Algeria has benefited from China in the realms of medicine, health, education and culture. China has helped educate Algeria’s youth, provided technical training to the employees and initiated many scholarships for the youth of Algeria. China has also extended its technical expertise in the field of agriculture to Algeria. China has improved the lot of its rural poor through the pursuit of aggressive agricultural reform, and this model serves as an example for all African countries to learn from. Even its hybrid rice seed varieties are being provided to African countries to ensure bumper rice crops.
Source : Chinafrica
