An opening ceremony for the first factory of Zhejiang-based Chint Group is held in Cairo, Egypt on Feb 19. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

Zhejiang-based Chint Group, China's leading industrial electrical equipment and new energy enterprise, opened its first factory in Cairo, Egypt specializing in low-voltage switchgear manufacturing on Feb 19.

The factory will be jointly operated by Chint and the Egyptian German Electrical Manufacturing Co (EGEMAC). Nan Cunhui, chairman of Chint Group, and Medhat Ramadan Ali, chairman of EGEMAC, were both in attendance at the factory's opening ceremony.

The 4,000-square-meter factory will provide multiple types of low-voltage switchgears to meet local demands, while focusing on its core technology - NGC8. It aims to be the main low-voltage solution supplier in the Middle East and Africa with its advantages in technology and market resources.

Zhang Zhihuan, vice president of Chint Group, believes both founding companies will benefit from the cooperation. She stressed that the large population of Egypt shows great consumer potential and EGEMAC's good reputation will smooth the promotional process of their products.

Chint chairman Nan emphasized the significance of localization, which is believed to be a key strategy for Chint's expansion to the global market. A localized team with an Egyptian chairman and 90 percent local workers has been recruited at the factory. It does good to help Chint to penetrate into the local market, and to create social benefits to Egypt as it brings more job opportunities as well, according to Nan.

The first batch of switchgears is expected to be completed at the beginning of March. The estimated annual output of low-voltage switchgears for the first three years is 1,000 units.

The new factory marks a significant step in Chint's expansion into the African market. It also reflects the group's strategic cooperation in equipment production and manufacturing with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative.

Chint Group currently has three global research and development centers, 14 subsidiary companies and 22 logistics centers worldwide, serving more than 130 countries and regions in America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

A worker introduces information about the new factory in Egypt to Nan Cunhui (second from left), chairman of Chint Group, on Feb 19. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]