For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OUS/294
1 July 2015
Re-issued as received
ADDIS ABABA/VIENNA, 1 July (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the China Development Bank (CDB) will jointly promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development in developing countries located along the Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road, as well as in Africa, including in Ethiopia and Senegal, which are part of UNIDO's Progammes for Country Partnership.
A memorandum of understanding on this matter was signed in Addis Ababa today by Philippe Scholtes, Managing Director of UNIDO's Programme and Technical Cooperation Division, and Jiyang Shi, the Deputy Director General of the Global Cooperation Department of the CDB.
It was signed on the sidelines of the Investing in Africa Forum. a collaborative effort between the Government of Ethiopia, the World Bank Group, CDB, the China-Africa Development Fund, and UNIDO.
UNIDO and CDB will work closely on industrial development planning and system upgrading, and on developing activities in the field of light manufacturing industry, including agro-industry, as well as renewable energy development. The two entities will also jointly promote private sector development; the development and upgrading of industrial parks and zones; and knowledge transfer on innovative and successful global best techniques and practices through South-South and triangular cooperation.
"We see our initial cooperation focusing on building the inclusive and sustainable development capacity of developing countries, in particular Africa and along the Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road, and on implementing projects to scale up investments in inclusive and sustainable industrial development in two pilot countries, Ethiopia and Senegal," said Philippe Scholtes.
He added that inclusive and sustainable industrial development includes three dimensions - social equity, economic growth and environmental protection - and is the focus of UNIDO's mandate, approved by Member States.
This new agreement is part of UNIDO's renewed efforts to establish cooperation partnerships with various international financial institutions to support and scale up business infrastructure and investments in developing countries.
China Development Bank promotes international economic cooperation and provides medium- to long-term financing facilities that assist in the development of infrastructure, basic industry, key emerging sectors, and national priority projects and facilitate China's cross-border investment and global business cooperation.
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For more information, please contact:
Ciyong
Zou
Director, UNIDO Partnerships and Results Monitoring Branch
Email: c.zou[at]unido.org
