China-Africa Friendship Award Winners

China has introduced a new awards system to identify the Chinese companies that have made the greatest economic and social impact in Africa. These shed new light on China's trade relations with Africa, showing that business exchange is much more than just an impersonal calculation of profit and loss.

A positive influence

Chinese businesses have become more visible in Africa and are making an ever greater impact on the continent's economy. To celebrate the most influential of these Chinese companies, the Chinese-African People's Friendship Association and China Radio International, under the guidance of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has initiated the China-Africa Friendship Awards. Earlier this year the 10 winners were announced for 2010.

The majority of these companies are directly involved in the construction of African infrastructure. Perhaps more interesting, however, are the activities of Chinese businesses that have added more than these essentials to bring added depth to African industry.

One of the most charitable of these has been Touchroad International Holdings. In addition to establishing a textile-focused industrial park in Botswana with a $51 million investment, the company has built schools across Africa as well as a $1.3 million charity fund for the continent. Such activities earned Touchroad's President He Liehui an appointment as China's chief representative by Botswana's Export Development and Investment Authority.

Then there is Haier Group, a Chinese manufacturer of home appliances. Haier operates a number of facilities in Africa including factories in Nigeria, Tunisia and Algeria, providing jobs and training for thousands of locals. The firm has developed innovative products specifically for the African market, including refrigerators that can function despite power outages and appliances that can withstand a range of voltages.

Beijing Holly-Cotec Pharmaceuticals has subsidiaries in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as a newly acquired manufacturing facility in Tanzania. The company's anti-malaria products have been recognized by the World Health Organization for their ingenuity.

These Friendship Award winners add a humanitarian aspect to Chinese business dealings in Africa, and they provide further encouragement for more companies to do the same.

The ChinAfrica Econometer is produced by THE BEIJING AXIS, a cross-border business bridge to/from China in three principal areas: Strategy, Sourcing & Investment.

For more information, please contact: Barry van Wyk, barryvanwyk@thebeijingaxis.com

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