China to increase investment in Southern Sudan – diplomat
By James Gatdet Dak
September 22, 2008 (JUBA) – The newly appointed Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China to Southern Sudan’s capital, Juba, Zhang Qingyang, said Chinese companies are ready to invest in Southern Sudan.
Zhang said both government and private sector companies in China are interested to invest in various sectors in the semi-autonomous region.
This came in a meeting on Monday with the Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, where the two parties reviewed China’s cooperation with Southern Sudan and its investment potentials.
Machar expressed gratitude to Chinese government for opening a consulate in Juba early this month to strengthen relations and mutual cooperation between the two governments.
The meeting also reviewed the role China plays in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Machar assured that GoSS would provide necessary security to investors and control pockets of insecurity in making the environment conducive for investors.
Among potential investment areas highlighted in the meeting included textile industry, cement factories, private housing real estates, construction of roads, hydroelectric power, rice and sugar schemes, diary farms, schools, hospitals, sharing expertise, water purification, etc.
Machar told the Juba-based Chinese diplomat to be in contact with GoSS relevant ministries in order to be provided with necessary information about their respective plans and priorities in areas of potential investment.
Zhang also extended invitation to GoSS officials to visit China to acquaint themselves with Chinese companies that are ready to invest and to enlighten them on investment potentials in the region.
Chinese company, COVEC, the 4th largest in China, is presently contracted by GoSS to do renovation work in Juba.
China’s oil companies are also big partners in oil sector in the Khartoum-based Government of National Unity that extracts oil from Sudan’s biggest oil fields in Unity state.
Machar emphasized the importance of cooperation between China and Southern Sudan, pointing out his government’s preoccupation to rebuild the war-ravaged Southern Sudan to realize peace dividends to the people.
The diplomat assured the Vice President that all Chinese companies would obey and abide by the laws and regulations established in Southern Sudan.
The semi-autonomous Government was created in 2005 per the peace deal signed between the National Congress Party (NCP)-led government and the former rebel, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), ending 21 years of war between the two parties.
According to the peace deal, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the citizens of the region will vote in a referendum in 2011 to either create an independent nation or confirm the unity of Sudan.
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martin simon wani
China to increase investment in Southern Sudan – diplomat
Congratulation GOSS, these are the kinds of investment we want in Southern Sudan.Some of us who are still bitter and thinking about the Chinese support for the GOS during the war should forget the past and know that there is no permenant enemy and friend in politics.It is also possible to turn your enemy in to a friend and cooperate for the mutual benefit.
miss JOOK
China to increase investment in Southern Sudan – diplomat
i personally think that Mr Riek Machar has done the right thing by asking the chinese to consult GOSS and abide by the rules and regulations of south sudan. What i am scared of is what china means by investment. their language is very complicated investment may translate into exploitation. we should keep a close watch of these small eyed people. their human rights records are bad internationally, lets hope they are not here to worsen ours.