VZCZCXRO0135
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHDK #1523 2041635
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231635Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8839
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0114
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS DAKAR 001523 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/EPS AND AF/W 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD EINV EFIN PREL ECON SG
SUBJECT: CHINESE VICE MINISTER OF COMMERCE JIANGUO'S DAKAR VISIT 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wei Jianguo paid a 
visit to Senegal on July 12-13.  The visit included the signing of 
four accords for economic cooperation and cultural projects.  Wei's 
thirty-member business delegation discussed opportunities with their 
Senegalese counterparts.  Senegal's Foreign Minister asked that 
China be more accommodating to Senegalese traders and merchants who 
want to work in China.  End Summary. 
 
CHINA TO MAINTAIN STRONG PRESENCE IN SENEGAL 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶2.  The four cooperation agreements signed include the construction 
of classrooms and kindergarten schools, the building and 
establishment of the Government's intranet network, the provision of 
USD 40 million in preferential loans for the supply of electricity 
to Dakar's outer districts, and the construction of a national 
theater in Dakar worth USD 20 million.  Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Gadio, Minister of Commerce Ndiaye, Minister of Finance Diop, 
Minister of Mining and Industry Niang, Minister of Agriculture, 
Sall, Vice Minister of Commerce Wei, and the Chinese Ambassador 
witnessed the signing ceremony. 
 
¶3.  In remarks to the press, Wei underlined that China will increase 
its presence in Senegal, notably in the agriculture, public health, 
industrial and public works sectors.  He said: "we will support the 
construction of new hospitals and new sports stadium in the newly 
created regions of Sedhiou, Kedougou, and Kafrine, and contribute to 
the modernization of Senegal's "cars rapides." 
 
¶4.  Gadio praised China's assistance to Senegal and stated: "our 
cooperation with China has experienced such a tremendous growth that 
we hope in a few years it will become a model for South-South 
cooperation."  Gadio noted: "we have already opened up our doors and 
windows, and we invte China to open yours." 
 
SENEGAL/CHINA TO FOOSTR TRADE COOPERATION 
----------------------------------------- 
¶5.  About 30 Chinese company execuives discussed business 
opportunities with their enegalese counterparts.  Foreign Minister 
Gadio old reporters that he pressed the Chinese delegatin to 
welcome more Senegalese traders and merchants to China.  Wei 
"encouraged Chinese businessmen to import Senegalese products." 
 
¶6.  In 2006, Senegal exported about USD 10 million in goods to China 
and imported USD 160 million, making the PRC Senegal's fourth 
largest supplier.  Chinese officials noted that 194 products, 
including seafood, agriculture goods, minerals, chemicals, and 
cotton are allowed to enter the Chinese market under a duty free 
status. 
 
Smith