Côte d’Ivoire explores Chinese partnerships in biotechnology and agro-industry

Côte d’Ivoire is seeking to strengthen economic and technological cooperation with Chinese companies as it explores new investment opportunities in biotechnology, agriculture and agro-industry.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to China, Abou Dosso, visited Changsha in Hunan province on September 8 at the invitation of Hunan Endian Tianyou Holding Group. The mission focused on identifying potential areas of cooperation between Ivorian and Chinese businesses.

Discussions covered biotechnology, healthcare, plant stem cells, agriculture, agro-industry and food production. The Chinese group presented its research and industrial applications involving plant stem cells, with the two sides examining opportunities for technology transfer, training and skills development.

The talks also explored the potential use and development of Côte d’Ivoire’s plant resources, as well as the possibility of establishing research and production activities in the country.

At the end of the visit, Ambassador Dosso and Li Yunlin, chairwoman and chief executive of Hunan Endian Tianyou Holding Group, signed a letter of intent. The document marks an initial step toward a potential partnership between the two sides.

The Ivorian embassy said the initiative is part of its efforts to promote investment opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire and build economic, commercial, scientific and technological partnerships with Chinese companies.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the discussions could support efforts to attract technology, develop local expertise and increase the value generated from the country’s agricultural and plant resources.