Sierra Leone within the FOCAC cooperation framework

A rather busy engagement awaits His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma in the United States of America. With the UNGA meeting slated for this month, the President has also got a very busy trip in also meeting Sierra Leoneans abroad, based what we have been reading from online media outlets.

Given the steadfastness of President Koroma and his entire government machinery, especially when discussed from the perspective of what has been achieved in the last couple of years, this pending visit to the United States of America and at the UN will bring home positive results as it was with his visit here in China. I am positive about this pending visit because, given how dedicated the President is, the interest of the country has always been his core value.

In fact, because the government result oriented, such a trend has been injected in the workings of the entire state machinery. For instance, the Sierra Leone Embassy in China has always strongly represented the country’s interest especially when it comes to issues surrounding FOCAC and the role of the African Group (AG) of Ambassadors. Working on the final communiqué of the third round of political consultation between the Chinese side and the AG, Sierra Leone’s envoy to China, Victor Bockarie Foh was very much vocal in calling for serious attention to be given to post-conflict peace building mechanisms and reconstruction, which takes into account youth unemployment and gender mainstreaming. His submission was not just based on the interest of Sierra Leone, but took into account needs of the MRU sub regional grouping. At the end, we got our views included in the final draft communiqué from the AG.

I also feel elated to hear two ECOWAS envoys; H.E Mrs. Helen Mamle Kofi and H.E Victor Bockarie Foh of Ghana and Sierra Leone respectively, call for strong affirmative action from the group of ECOWAS Ambassadors when advocating for more attention to be given to ECOWAS memberstates especially in the judicious use of the 20 billion dollars credit line given to Africa by the Chinese. This was an indication of how to seek results for the benefit of a country.

This brings to mind the role of FOCAC in determining the relationship between Africa and China. From the framework of trade and investment, China is a major player, in engaging Africa.

This strategic engagement with the continent has often been seen within the operations of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). FOCAC was established as a major mechanism for fostering ties between China and African countries. This body serves as a way of coping with the challenges brought about by economic globalization and in promoting common development initiatives. Since 2000, FOCAC remains a key cooperation platform through which China and Africa keep putting up new measures to foster bilateral trade and economic development.

Another crucial aspect in China’s diplomacy with Africa, from the perspective of Sino-Africa cooperation involves economic diplomacy. Economic diplomacy is a leading factor in the promotion of the Sino-Africa relations. Examples of this apparent fact abound. At the first FOCAC Ministerial Conference held in 2000, China promised to exempt debts 10 billion Yuan ($1.58 billion) owed by African countries.

The second FOCAC meeting was held in Ethiopia in 2003, and there, China also announced her commitment to help develop Africa’s human resources by increasing her financial contribution to Africa by training up to 10,000 African personnel in different fields. As a result of the 2006 FOCAC Summit in Beijing which focuses on the principle of equality, sincerity and friendship, China and Africa have shown their solidarity and trust for each other by working closely in international affairs more so in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

During the fifth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC also held in Beijing in 2012, President Hu Jintao highlighted a five point action plan for cooperation between China and Africa; opening up new prospects in building a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership; opening up new prospects for the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership, in terms of working towards strengthening the political mutual trust between China and Africa; working towards expanding practical cooperation between China and Africa, increasing cultural and people-to-people exchanges, increasing coordination and cooperation in international affairs and working towards making FOCAC more stronger.

China’s trade with and investment in Africa keep expanding yearly; in 2011 alone, two way trade reached 166.3 billion US dollars, and this is three times the figure in 2006. Cumulative Chinese direct investment in Africa exceeded 15 billion US dollars, with investments projects covering 50 countries. China is a growing world economic power. Its foreign trade in 2012 stood at $3.87 trillion. The country is the world’s largest exporter and second largest importer and these expanding imports will enhance the country’s influence in global market.

The Sino-Africa development cooperation is not only limited to trade but also takes into account infrastructure. With numerous development challenges the African continent is facing, China is expected to continue playing a role as a firm supporter of its revitalization and unification by making contributions where they are needed and wanted.

If we are to discuss China’s presence in Africa, we also must take into account China’s model of development cooperation with African governments. Such development cooperation focuses on mutual benefits: “win-win”, partnership, “shared growth”, country ownership and Investment-oriented: trade, special economic zones, and industrialization.

It is worth noting, that in the Sino-Africa relations, investment institutions like China-Africa Development Fund (CAD Fund) and Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) have a leading role to play. EXIM Bank is the world’s third largest export credit agency, with a mandate to “implement state policies in industry, foreign trade and economy, finance and foreign affairs”. The vast majority of infrastructure financing arrangements done by China in the African continent are financed through the China EXIM Bank. The Bank has financed over 300 projects in Africa, with infrastructure, being the core of its undertakings. CAD Fund was established in 2006 as the first equity investment fund in the country. Its primary focus is investment in Africa. It has an aim of enhancing China-Africa economic cooperation and promotes Africa’s development through direct investment.

It is only when these institutions are fully utilized that developing nations can achieve the anticipated results in their development cooperation with China. Sierra Leone has been adequately utilizing the opportunities offered through these development cooperation frameworks.

From the viewpoint of Sierra Leone, a lot is happening. In the areas of infrastructure, human resource development and economic cooperation with China, we have been getting significant results. The June 2013 visit of President Ernest Koroma to China helped bring more dividends. The trend now is that, more companies now expressing readiness to explore investment opportunities in this small West African nation.

In terms of human resource development, and especially within the FOCAC development cooperation framework, the Embassy received, on the 5^th of September 33 students who have come to pursue different courses in China. Of these, 3 of them will be pursuing PhD degrees, 22 for Master degrees and 7 students for Bachelor degrees in fields such as Industrial Economics, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Clinical Medicine, Civil Engineering, Applied Economics, Petroleum Engineering, Information and Communication and Agricultural Mechanization.

Going further, there are, at present a number of ongoing Chinese supported projects in Sierra Leone; the Regent-Grafton road; the multimillion dollar new airport project on the mainland; Rice and robber project; and Charlotte hydro dam project, coupled with the China Friendship Teaching and Referral Hospital and the new Foreign Affairs Ministry building which were all commissioned in 2012.

As I end, it is worthy to note, here that Sierra Leone has not lagged behind in terms of utilizing the opportunities provided by FOCAC in fostering effective development cooperation with China.

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