Latest news with #ChinaAfricaTrade


Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Standard Bank and ICBC partnership opens doors for African exports at massive trade expo
Just as Africa's leading exporters converged in China for the 2025 China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), a landmark announcement electrified the trade landscape: China declared zero import duties on goods from the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. This timely move slashed costs for African products and opened the door to a new era of seamless trade and opportunity. 'This is extremely significant,' said Bill Blackie, chief executive officer of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group. 'It reflects the precision and forward-thinking nature of how China implements trade policy. The fact that it was announced on the eve of CAETE underscores the strategic alignment between trade diplomacy and real economic opportunity.' Against the vibrant backdrop of CAETE — Africa's largest trade platform in China, now in its fourth edition — a 48-member delegation from 10 African countries showcased premium products spanning agriculture, natural wellness, and handcrafted lifestyle goods. Driving market access With over 12,000 delegates and 2,800 organisations participating, the expo reaffirmed its critical role in deepening commercial connectivity between Africa and China. Standard Bank, through its Business and Commercial Banking division, facilitated the participation of companies from South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Botswana, and Malawi. Leveraging its 17-year strategic partnership with China's Industrial and Commercial Bank (ICBC) and the Hunan Provincial Government, it continues to play a pivotal role in helping African exporters unlock access to Chinese markets. 'We are committed to turning possibilities into opportunities, and opportunities into growth, for the vibrant businesses that power Africa's economy,' said Blackie. 'We are deliberate about building capacity, opening access, and removing friction so that Africa's businesses can scale and win.' Strengthening trade partnerships Highlighting China's growing significance as a key trading partner, Wesgro chief executive officer, Wrenelle Stander said: 'As we pursue our bold objective of tripling exports by 2035, deepening our engagement with China will be essential to unlocking new trade opportunities. It is within this context that our participation in CAETE 2025 proved so significant. "Enabled by our strategic partnership with Standard Bank Group and ICBC, and in collaboration with the Hunan Department of Commerce, the expo provided a valuable platform to position the Western Cape as a premium export region. "It also allowed us to connect local businesses with high-potential buyers across key sectors, bringing our strategy to life in an impactful way. We are deeply grateful to the Standard Bank Group for their continued partnership as we work to expand the Western Cape's global footprint.' This reaffirmed China's position as one of South Africa's most important export markets, with total exports from the Western Cape to China reaching R11.76bn in 2024. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Zawya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
China announces zero-tariff access for African countries, boosting trade opportunities
China has announced a zero-tariff policy granting duty-free access to all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. This significant move, announced in mid-2025, aims to deepen trade ties and open the Chinese market to a wider range of African products. The policy is expected to enhance export opportunities across the continent, positioning African businesses to better compete in the world's second-largest economy. In line with this development, Wesgro, the Western Cape's trade, tourism, and investment promotion agency, recently facilitated the participation of a Western Cape delegation at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), held from 12 to 15 June 2025 in Changsha, China. CAETE is one of the largest trade exhibitions globally, creating direct linkages between African businesses and the Chinese market. The delegation included exporters and trade facilitators showcasing products such as organic cosmetics, wines, spices, fresh flowers, teas, and nutritional goods. Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander says: "China is a key trading partner for the Western Cape. In 2024, total exports from the province to China reached R11.76bn, making it one of the largest export markets for the province. "If we are to realise our provincial objective of trebling exports from the province by 2035, growth in new markets will be essential. Over the coming weeks, Wesgro will work to understand how businesses can best leverage new opportunities flowing from this announcement.' The agency continues to focus on expanding access to other strategic markets, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), India, Brazil, and the Middle East. 'Market diversification is critical to building resilience and long-term growth for Western Cape businesses,' Stander added. 'By supporting engagements in key global markets like China, we're advancing our strategic mandate to drive trade and investment.' Strategic partnerships drive African market access Andrew Robertson, head of business enablement and operations at business and commercial banking, Standard Bank Group, highlighted the catalytic potential of China's zero-tariff policy for African exporters, saying: 'At Business and Commercial Banking, we pride ourselves on turning possibilities into opportunities for the businesses that power Africa's vibrant economies. "China's zero-tariff policy presents a catalytic opportunity, and through strategic platforms and our strategic partnerships with entities such as Wesgro, we support businesses convert policy into progress by unlocking direct access to high-potential buyers,' says Robertson. 'By leveraging our digital trade capabilities, sector-specific support, and cross-border partnerships, we empower clients to start, manage and grow, not just in China, but across the African continent and other key global markets. We are about enabling long-term growth through market access that is practical, scalable and sustainable.' Wesgro has partnered with Standard Bank Group to facilitate Western Cape exporters' participation at CAETE 2025, connecting local businesses directly with Chinese buyers and fostering market access under this new trade landscape. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Xinhua Silk Road: Coffee industry-related trade co-op highlighted at side event of China-Africa expo
BEIJING, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ -- A coffee industry promotion event held during the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) attested again to how a Chinese county endeavored to leverage opening-up to foster new growth drivers. Located in Hunan Province in central China, Changsha County, part of the provincial capital Changsha City, blueprinted a coffee industrial chain park to fill in the vacuum of premium African coffee beans-based coffee industrial chain in China. Via businesses inviting and professional operation, Changsha County expects the annual output value of the park, which sits in the Airport Sub-area of Changsha Area in China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, to exceed one billion yuan and countywide coffee bean import to surpass two billion yuan by 2027. On June 13, the county embraced a batch of seven quality investment projects for the emerging local coffee industry and businesses from Hunan Province attending the event concluded related contracts. These projects, which include industrial complexes, corporate headquarters and online platforms, cover African coffee bean-related production and processing, storage and logistics, trade, and product R&D. Hence, the Chinese county took a solid step forward in shaping an inland hub for opening-driven development to cultivate new growth engines and deepen China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Currently, Changsha County's coffee industry is starting to unlock its own potential and fascination due to convenient transport, vigorous consumer market and pleasant business environment, said Chen Yonggao, head of Changsha County during the event. In the future, Chen expressed his hopes for related businesses to be long-term partners, pacesetters and co-builders of the county's coffee industry to reap benefits earlier, make breakthroughs in sub-sectors, and establish a vibrant coffee industry ecosystem to bring local coffee to a broader market. Year to date, the county has incorporated its coffee industry planning into local 2026-2030 development plan to delve deeper into the African market. Accordingly, Changsha County will focus on the coffee industrial chain park's production and processing, storage and logistics, sci-tech innovation service, cultural experience and transaction service to further tap into the growing China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. From January to April of this year, Changsha County saw local trade with African countries rise 108 percent year on year to 4.104 billion yuan. Original link: View original content: SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road View original content: Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data