Gavin du Venage
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howard
As long as the door of trade is kept open to all investors, the Chinese always have their competitive advantages. So I don't see it risking losing out to western companies. Who can provide African countries abundant concessional loans that African countries are so hungry to get? Certainly not the US or European or Japanese companies. Who will not say a word about your domestic politics? The Chinese.
The urgent thing for African countries now is to set up a clear and transparent investment environment and force every foreign investor to comply with the local laws and regulations. The Chinese are just business men, they will obey the laws if the local government show its determination of enforcement of law and respect of international standards.
maximum
"Many of their descendants are now in prominent business and political positions. The South African finance minister, Pravin Gordhan is of Indian origin."
Chinese merchants also have long standing ties. The son of a Chinese merchant in Gabon, Jean Ping, is Chairman of the African Union.
He is an example of a Chinese advantage that goes mostly unnoticed. People think most of Chinese involvement in Africa is state sponsored but that's untrue. There are 500k-1,000,000 Chinese in Africa, most are there because of their own initiative. The Zambian incident involved two mine entrepreneurs from Anhui who went over to start a mine in Zambia; no state involvement. Throughout Africa you will find highly energetic Chinese entrepreneurs. Chinese traders selling shoes in Luanda, Chinese peasants starting farming communities in Malawi, etc. India has no comparable depth of entrepreneurship.
http://chinaoverindia.blogspot.com
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