INTERPORT COOPERATION: THE PAA AND THE PORT OF GUANGZHOU SIGNED A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Activités portuaires Monday 18 September 2023

Trade relations between Côte d'Ivoire and the People's Republic of China are so well advanced that the two countries have decided to take inter-port cooperation to the next level.

In Guangzhou, China, where the Managing Director of the Abidjan Port Authority (PAA), Mr Hien Yacouba SIÉ, headed a delegation on Monday 5 June 2023, the Ivorian port authority signed a twinning agreement with the famous port of the Chinese city. The agreement covers several areas.

For the head of the PAA, Hien Yacouba SIÉ, and his counterpart from the Port of Guangzhou, Sun Xiuqing, it was a question of confirming the excellence of relations between Côte d'Ivoire and China in the port sector. "Our vision and ambition are indeed much greater. They have therefore led us to project ourselves into the future by implementing projects for the future. In particular, the construction of an interchange and a tunnel to cross the Vridi canal, which will provide access to the 2,500 ha of land reserves, the construction of a motorway linking the tunnel to the PK 24 industrial zone (the city bypass), and the creation of a new 600 ha industrial zone," explained Hien SIÉ.

The Managing Director of the PAA wants to count on the recognised expertise of the Port of Guangzhou in terms of investment, technical and technological support, equipment and training. He remains convinced that to position itself as a leading port and hub port on the West African coast, Côte d'Ivoire has a lot to learn from the Chinese ports, which have consolidated their domination by occupying 7 of the top 10 places in the world ranking for the year 2022. The Port of Guangzhou ranks 6th in the world with 24.60 million TEUs, representing growth of 1.7% compared with 2021.

Following the completion of major development projects that have changed the face of the Abidjan Port hub, this agreement will this time focus on 4 main areas that have been identified. The first concerns communication and visits, with the opening of a representative office to facilitate business development. The second relates to the exchange of information and the application of port technology. The third involves training in machinery, loading and unloading equipment, electrical installations, safety engineering and information technology applications. The fourth and final area deals with the environment, through the promotion of the development of a Green Port.

Mr Sun Xiuqing, Managing Director of the Guangzhou Port Authority, praised this inter-port cooperation, which is reflected in the pooling and complementarity of actions undertaken by the two ports. The Chinese leader sees this twinning as a new starting point for further strengthening international trade and promoting regional cooperation between Guangzhou and Africa. He intends to seize this opportunity to further open the channels of communication between China and Africa and to show greater energy in deepening friendly exchanges.

The Consul General of Côte d'Ivoire in Guangzhou, SEM. Kouamé Konan, congratulated the Chinese partner, with whom Côte d'Ivoire is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

The Managing Director of the PAA and his delegation, including the Director of Sales, Marketing and Communication, Dr Titi Palé, the Director of Engineering and Project Management, Mr N'Doli André, and the Director of Control, Audit and Quality, Mr Assi Magloire, were given a guided tour of the port of Guangzhou.