CHINA PLEDGE INCREASED TRADE TIES WITH EAC BLOC

BY GRACE MACHA IN ARUSHA

China has pledged to increase its trade and investment ties with the East African Community (EAC).

The Asian economic giant and second largest in the world sees the bloc as having a great potential for growth.

"China would remain a staunch and strong supporter of EAC on development matters", affirmed Ms Chen Mingjian,u the country's ambassador to Tanzania.

She spoke early today June 27,2023 when she officially handed over eight vehicles and an assortment of spare parts donated by his country to the EAC.

The vehicles,three buses and five double cabin pick ups are worth $ 400,000. They were delivered late last year.

She said besides trade, China is keen to strengthen its ties with the Community in infrastructure development and capacity building

"As the world’s largest developing country we are highly optimistic about promoting economic growth not just in the EAC but on the entire African continent", she pointed out.

Amb. Mingjian added that China would remain a staunch and strong supporter of EAC "for the mutual benefit of both parties".

“China highly appreciates the significant contribution made by EAC in improving regional infrastructure, regional economic integration and economic recovery", she explained.

The vehicles would assist the EAC to increase its capacity of the regional body in organising and coordinating meetings and events across the region.

The EAC secretariat described the donation as a sign of the excellent relations existing between China and the regional organization.

According to Dr. Irene Kisaka, EAC Director of Social Services, last year China donated an unspecified amount of funds to support development projects in the region.

^"China has also continued to support infrastructure development projects geared towards promotion of intra-EAC trade,” she said as she received the donated vehicles.