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The 2024 Yangtze River Delta (Jiaxing) New Silk Road (Africa) Economic and Trade Cooperation and Exchange Conference is held in Jiashan county, Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Jiaxing Council for the Promotion of International Trade]

The 2024 Yangtze River Delta (Jiaxing) New Silk Road (Africa) Economic and Trade Cooperation and Exchange Conference took place in Jiashan county, Jiaxing, Zhejiang province on June 19.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of China-Tanzania diplomatic relations, highlighting the deepening China-Africa cooperation.

During the event, the Yangtze River Delta (Jiashan) African Goods Exhibition and Sales Center was inaugurated. The center will showcase local economic and trade cooperation achievements, integrating commerce, culture, and tourism to offer affordable African products to consumers.

The Jiaxing Famous Products New Silk Road (Africa) Alliance was also established, providing comprehensive services in trade, investment, finance, foreign affairs, and legal matters.

In addition, strategic cooperation agreements were signed to support Jiashan enterprises in exploring overseas markets.

Representatives from Tanzanian consulates visited the county, including the Aficion Chocolate Town and the Xiangfudang Innovation Center, showcasing Jiaxing's international cooperation platforms.

The conference resulted in fruitful outcomes for economic and trade cooperation, with agreements for five major projects signed, totaling $167 million.

A procurement matchmaking meeting saw 40 African buyers engage with nearly 100 local enterprises, resulting in preliminary agreements worth approximately $5 million.

In 2023, Jiaxing's exports to Africa reached 15.4 billion yuan ($2.12 billion), a 29-percent year-on-year increase, ranking first in Zhejiang province in growth rate. Imports from Africa totaled 3.8 billion yuan and primarily consisted of metals, minerals, and textiles.

Jiaxing's investment in Africa also leads the province, with a cumulative investment of $2.75 billion, mainly in the mining, non-ferrous metal smelting, and chemical fiber industries.