ON THE SIDELINES of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, a high-level Foreign Trade Matchmaking Side Event was successfully held on 13th June 2025 in Changsha, aimed at fostering stronger business ties between Chinese and African entrepreneurs through trade exchange, business matchmaking, and market expansion.
The event, organized by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, enjoyed significant backing from the Hunan GBA Economic & Trade Exchange Promotion Association and the Sand-Stone Association.
One of the standout moments came from Ghana’s delegation, led by Dr. Mary Awusi, who used the global platform to pitch Ghana’s Free Zones Programme to Chinese investors.
Dr. Awusi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, highlighted the robust investment incentives available under the Free Zones scheme.
She extended a formal invitation to Chinese enterprises to take advantage of Ghana’s strategic position and investor-friendly environment for export-oriented manufacturing.
Dr. Awusi underscored that Ghana’s Free Zones provide not only tax breaks but also streamlined access to regional and international markets, particularly under trade agreements such as AfCFTA and ECOWAS.
In his remarks, Mr. Deng Weiping, Deputy Director General of the Hunan Commerce Department, pointed out that China’s updated trade policy now grants duty-free access to products from countries like Ghana.
He noted that this will further encourage exports and create more avenues for firms operating under Ghana’s Free Zones Programme to thrive.
The event was lauded as a strategic move to deepen China-Africa trade collaboration, especially in a period marked by increased focus on industrialization and shared economic growth across both regions.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
