The Jiangsu Overseas Cooperation and Investment Company, or JOCIC, opens its first Chinese Industrial Products Exhibition in Abu Dhabi on March 7. Zhang Yiming, ambassador of China to the UAE, and Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group are among the attendees of the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The opening of the first Chinese Industrial Products Exhibition hosted by China's Jiangsu Overseas Cooperation and Investment Company, or JOCIC, in Abu Dhabi on March 7 garnered over 500 visitors and the signing of bilateral agreements that covered research, technology, and space.
During the exhibition's opening ceremony, Zhang Yiming, ambassador of China to the United Arab Emirates, said China-UAE relations "are witnessing golden times with fruitful achievements in various areas" and that during pandemic, the demonstration zone overcame difficulties and made achievements – proving the potential of the two's industrial capacity cooperation.
Representatives of Shandong, Hunan, Yunnan and Jiangsu provinces pose for a group photo after signing a joint initiative for high-quality corporate development in the UAE. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The event is part of the JOCIC's role and effort to develop and operate the Chinese-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone in support of Chinese investors and companies in the Gulf region markets since a long-term land development lease pact was signed between JOCIC and Abu Dhabi Ports in the Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone in July 2017.
Abdullah Al Hameli, head of the Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster at AD Ports Group, said that the number of Chinese investors in Abu Dhabi have been rapidly increasing in recent years, and pledged that his group will provide full support to Chinese firms with their production and logistics to further cement bilateral ties.
Deputy General Manager of China Jiangsu International Group Zheng Yimin, also chairwoman of JOCIC, noted that apart from its strategic location connecting Europe, Asia and Africa, the UAE was attracting more Chinese investments through the Demonstration Zone because of its globally renowned investment atmosphere.
"Such factors have contributed to establishing the UAE's position as a preferred destination for the Chinese companies seeking to enter the European and African markets," said Zheng.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, five bilateral agreements were side between the JOCIC and participating entities.
These include the United Arab Emirates University or UAEU, one of the leading universities in the Middle East region, which also serves as an important research center for policymakers in the UAE, driving technology firm WeRide, Origin Space, which is China's first commercial aerospace enterprise dedicated to the exploration and development of space resources.
Representatives of Jiangsu, Shandong, Hunan and Yunnan provinces signed a joint initiative for high-quality corporate development in the UAE.
