About 150 participants, including officials and entrepreneurs from Fujian and Kano State of Nigeria, attended the China-Nigeria Business Dialogue on August 30. Held via video links, the event was organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Fujian Provincial Department of Commerce, and Kano State Government.

Shen Beili, Deputy Minister of IDCPC, said that in recent years, China and Nigeria have jointly embarked on a path of solidarity and rejuvenation, achieving fruitful results in cooperation in railway development, free trade zone, currency swap, commerce and industrial capacity. The IDCPC will strengthen the synergy between the nine programs of China-Africa cooperation and Nigeria’s nine priority areas, and boost bilateral cooperation through inter-party exchanges. National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Nigeria, Iyiola Omisore, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, expressed their desire to expand practical cooperation with China, especially with Fujian, in the fields of trade and investment, infrastructure, foodstuff and agriculture.

In her speech, Executive Vice Governor Guo Ningning reviewed the cooperation between Fujian and Nigeria, and put forward suggestions on future cooperation. She said that Nigeria is Fujian’s second largest trading partner and largest export market in Africa. Under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, Fujian will strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in economy, trade, digital economy, agriculture, deepen people-to-peoples ties and enhance sister relationship.

Highlight of the Dialogue was the signing of the letter of intent for the Establishment of Friendship Relationship between Kano State and Fujian Province.

It was followed by a business networking session, in which officials of the commerce departments and business representatives from both sides exchanged views and shared business proposals for further cooperation.