Djibouti and China: A strategic partnership spanning from the economy to artificial intelligence
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
Relations between Djibouti and China are heading towards a new phase of Strategic partnership Comprehensive, with both sides intensifying their efforts to expand areas of cooperation to include the economic, financial, technological and security sectors, in addition to infrastructure projects that have formed the basis of relations between the two countries over the past years.
In this context, Djibouti’s Minister of Economy and Finance and Secretary General of the People’s Rally for Progress, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, continues his official visit to China, where he held a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and pushing the strategic partnership to broader horizons.
The capital, Beijing, witnessed a meeting between the Djiboutian minister and Liu Haisheng, Minister of International Administration of the Communist Party of China, which discussed ways to develop bilateral relations and transform them into a multi-dimensional partnership that goes beyond traditional projects to more advanced and influential areas in the development process.
The two sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in the financial sector, as Djibouti seeks to strengthen its position as an African financial center supporting the internationalization of the Chinese currency, the yuan, through a project to establish a specialized offshore financial zone, which would enhance its role as a regional economic hub.
Developing promising industrial sectors
The talks also focused on developing promising industrial sectors, including textile and agricultural processing industries, as well as launching vocational training and qualification programs, and providing new incentives to attract investments and increase production rates.
In the technological field, the two sides reviewed opportunities for cooperation in the areas of artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and the Internet of Things, as well as the project to establish the “Academy of Future Professions” in cooperation with specialized Chinese companies, with the aim of preparing qualified personnel for the requirements of the digital economy.
Signing an agreement to avoid double taxation
The two sides also discussed the possibility of signing an agreement to avoid double taxation, which would contribute to facilitating investment and trade exchange and strengthening economic partnerships between the two countries.
On the security level, the talks touched on regional issues of common interest, with emphasis on the importance of strengthening bilateral coordination and supporting Djibouti’s role as a center of stability and cooperation in the Horn of Africa region.
In a move reflecting the two countries’ desire to institutionalize their relations, the Djiboutian side put forward proposals to establish a joint multi-sector working group, create a Djiboutian-Chinese presidential council, and launch an annual strategic dialogue between the two ruling parties to follow up on various cooperation files.
At the conclusion of the visit, Elias Moussa Dawaleh affirmed that Djibouti-China relations are witnessing a new phase of momentum and development, stressing that this partnership represents a fundamental pillar for supporting national development plans and enhancing Djibouti’s position as a strategic partner for China in Africa.
