The Diana region and the municipality of Zhanjiang, in the People’s Republic of China, are starting a rapprochement focused on economic exchanges, the sharing of expertise and the enhancement of their respective potential.
A first step was taken into practice by the signing of a letter of intent, a prelude to further technical discussions.
A delegation from the municipality of Zhanjiang, led by Deputy Mayor Wu Guoxiong, paid a visit to Antsiranana to meet with officials from the Diana region. At the heart of this approach is the establishment of decentralized cooperation between the two parties, which share several geographical and economic characteristics, including their openness to the sea and their potential for maritime development.
This visit is an extension of a dynamic launched last May and marks a first step in the realization of the exchanges.
At the origin of this initiative, the stay of the Chinese ambassador, Ji Ping, in the Diana region, during which he crisscrossed the various districts to discover their economic potential. Convinced of the prospects for cooperation, he worked to bring the actors of the two parties closer together, thus paving the way for the Chinese delegation to come to Antsiranana. The meeting gave rise to exchanges between representatives of Zhanjiang and regional actors.
Priority areas
The two parties presented their respective assets and explored areas likely to be the subject of partnerships. The discussions resulted in the signing of a letter of intent on the strengthening of exchanges and cooperation.
The document was signed by the regional chief, Brigadier General Louis Francio Marovavy, and the deputy mayor of Zhanjiang, Wu Guoxiong. This signature is a preparatory step. Discussions must now continue between the technical teams in order to clarify the areas of collaboration and to consider their implementation. Three priority sectors Three areas have been identified as priorities: agriculture, fisheries and the blue economy, as well as education.
In the agricultural and fisheries sectors, the focus is on local product processing. Cocoa, an emblematic sector of the Ambanja region, as well as the many fruits produced in the Diana region are among the resources likely to benefit from new development prospects. The challenge is to develop transformation capabilities in order to create more added value locally. The educational component provides opportunities for cultural cooperation and exchanges between students, as well as the possibility of scholarship programs. These avenues could promote the sharing of knowledge and rapprochement between the establishments of the two territories. Tourism was also mentioned, in particular through the interest of Chinese investors in hotel projects in the region. This perspective could contribute to the development of the tourism supply and the economic attractiveness of Diana, subject to the realization of the projects envisaged.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Professor Jean Maharavo. However, partnerships remain at this stage in terms of intentions and preparatory discussions.
