African entreprenuers adviced to source quality products from China(Sunday, April 8, 2012)

African entreprenuers adviced to source quality products from China Story: George Ernest Asare & Benjamin Xornam Glover, Beijing, China. PRIVATE entrepreneurs from Ghana and other African countries who travel to China to engage in trade and other business transactions have been advised to devise better strategies of contacting genuine industries who produce quality items capable of standing the test of time. Chinese products have captured the entire consumption choice of not only Ghanaian households, but also the entire continent of Africa. However, poor qualities of the products exported into Africa seem to be affecting the competitiveness of the products from the west. The Deputy Director-General of the China International Publishing Group, Mr. Huang Youyi gave the advice during a lecture on “Basic Facts of China” at a Seminar on News and Publication in Developing Countries in Beijing, China. It was organized by the Training Centre of the State Council of Information of China, (SCIO), and sponsored by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the State Council Information Office of China. About 40 journalists and Information Officers from Africa, including Ghana, Asia and Eastern Europe attended the three week seminar, which was aimed at exposing the participants for them to appreciate the level of cooperation between Chiana and other developing countries in terms of trade and international cooperation. Topics including basic facts of China, Chinese History and Culture, China’s News Release system, Development and governance of the internet in China and development of China’s media and its exchange with foreign media will be treated during the seminar. Responding to questions from participants during the opening session on the quality of Chinese products exported to Africa and Asia, Mr. Youyi said China appreciates the trade links with Africa and the Middle East, hence the need to ensure quality of goods exported to these trade partners. He pointed out that it is such trade that empowers China economically and sustains her industrial development, hence the need to maintain quality at all times. Mr. Youyi also pointed out that high standard of products produced in China has been their hallmarks, and will not allow a few manufacturers to compromise it with inferior products. He also pointed out that as part of the socio economic reforms taking place in China, women are being encouraged to participate in the highest hierarchy of governance. He expressed concern about the low representation of women in central governance, saying, their figure at the highest level do not reflect the positions they occupy in various organisations and departments in China. Mr. Youyi said assured that the government has decided to adopt a quota system for women at the National People Congress as well as getting a woman to occupy the Deputy Governor position at the Provincial Level. He said currently, out of the 34 administrative provinces, only one province has a female governor and which to him is not enough. “The higher you go to the few women are encountered at governance level and that is not the best”, he complained For his part, the Vice Director General of the SCIO, Mr. Ding Xiaoming said the seminar offers an opportune platform for promoting friendship between China and the other developing countries, adding that through this, they hope to create a better understanding of the China situation, and also open up the country for others to appreciate their level of development. Mr. Hua Quig, also of the SCIO said although China has made giant strides in socio economic developments since it adopted reforms over thirty years ago, yet the country continue to struggle to overcome the numerous developments confronting it. He however assured that China will not shy away from her international responsibilities, saying, “we will continue with our effort at deepening our economic partnership with other developing countries no matter the challenges we encounter”. -End-