Guangzhou Port signs cooperation agreement with Port autonome d’Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire

Aerial photo taken on July 17, 2021 shows the Nansha Port Area of Guangzhou Port in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Geng Xinning)

Guangzhou Port officially signed a cooperation agreement with Port autonome d’Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire on Monday, bringing the number of Guangzhou Port's international friendship ports to 55, reported Chinanews.com.

According to the agreement, Guangzhou Port and Port autonome d'Abidjan will jointly establish long-term and all-round cooperative relations, share the best experience in port operation and management, strengthen cooperation and communication in investment, mutual visits, new technology promotion, personnel exchange, green port construction and other aspects, aiming to improve the port service capacity and promote regional economic development.

As one of the most important natural ports and container terminals in West Africa, Port autonome d'Abidjanis also the main estuary to the sea and a distribution center for imports and exports of goods for landlocked West African countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali.

Guangzhou Port and Port autonome d'Abidjan are two important ports in the world. The new cooperation and exchanges will enhance their competitiveness in international trade, said Hien Yacouba Sie, general director of the Port autonome d'Abidjan Authority.

The signing of the agreement is a new start for Guangzhou and Africa to further strengthen international trade exchanges, promote regional cooperation,and smooth the communication channels between China and Africa, said Sun Xiuqing, director of Guangzhou Port Authority.

Now, Guangzhou Port has opened 263 container routes, including 157 foreign trade liner routes. Meanwhile, it has set up 6 overseas offices and established 55 international friendship ports.