Phase two of China-aided Diamniadio Industrial Park project launched in Senegal

The launch ceremony of the second phase of the China-aided Diamniadio Industrial Park project was held on July 6. Senegalese President Macky Sall and Chinese Ambassador to Senegal Xiao Han attended the ceremony and laid the foundation stone of the project.

Sall said the first phase of the project has yielded great achievements and the second phase is off to a good start. Enterprises from multiple fields, including pharmaceuticals, electronic appliances and textiles, have expressed their interest in setting up offices in the park, according to Sall.  The industrial park is expected to manufacture more high-quality products that meet local needs. Upon completion, the park will improve Senegal's economic structure, achieve import substitution and reduce unemployment, Sall noted. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to China for its help in funding and technology support, emphasizing that China-aided COVID-19 vaccines have meant a lot for Senegal's fight against the virus. Also at the ceremony, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's representative in Senegal applauded Senegal's industrialization efforts and congratulated on the success of China-Senegal cooperation on the park.

Xiao congratulated on the smooth start of the second phase of the project, which will see business programs with a larger scale and higher level than those in the first phase. To date, over 40 enterprises have expressed intentions to settle in the park, which will provide over 23,000 jobs, Xiao said. He also clarified the significance of the project for socioeconomic development in Senegal. First, it will speed up Senegal's industrialization process and reinforce its central position as the regional manufacturing hub. Second, it will attract diversified investment for industrial upgrade in the country, which in turn will benefit local people's livelihoods, as proven by China's experiences. Third, it will boost urbanization and help the country's capital better play its role.

Xiao pointed out that China-Senegal relations have entered a stage of fast development, with fruitful outcomes achieved in cooperation on epidemic prevention and control, trade, people's livelihoods, emerging economy and contracted projects. He looks forward to a higher level of bilateral cooperation under the guidance of the latest conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.