He Liehui, chairman of Touchroad, a multinational group focusing on African development, attended the second forum of One Belt One Road 100, on Aug 28 in Zhenjiang, southwest Jiangsu province.
He spoke about Touchroad's successful strategy in the African market, and expressed his hope to seek-out new business partners for further investment through the forum.
Touchroad hopes to cooperate with Zhenjiang enterprises, build platforms and provide services for their investment in Africa, He said.
He's Touchroad is the first Chinese private enterprise authorized to build a special economic zone in Africa - Touchroad Djibouti Special Economic Zone (TDSEZ). The zone is to be a fulcrum of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative in Africa.
East African markets boast higher market potentials, especially the comparatively better developed countries like Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, he said.
Touchroad seized on this opportunity and joined hands with Djibouti to build the TDSEZ as a fully functional city, expected to be completed by 2026.
He also explained that China's manufacturing industry, especially light-manufacturing, has a promising future in Africa. Excess capacity of domestic production compels manufacturers to go abroad and seek more opportunities.
To invest in Africa, or to export products to countries along the Belt and Road routes will be wise choices, he added.
He Liehui, general representative of the Djibouti National Investment Promotion Agency, signed a strategic cooperative agreement with Zhang Jianxin, president of the Zhejiang Investment and Finance Association on Sept 29.
