The Chinese giant with roots in aviation is looking to help the continent with itstechnology advantages
Energy shortages and the lack of technical training in Africa are two problems that aredragging down the continent’s ability to take off industrially. Both areas are being addressedby China’s AVIC International Holding Corp.
Liu Jun, executive vice-president of the State-owned firm, talked about the company’s plans inan interview with China Daily at the New York Forum Africa, which was held in Libreville,Gabon, in August.
Liu said that the company will make it a priority to help the African countries better prepare toreceive industrial capacity transfers from China, which is seen as an important way to boostgrowth in Africa.
AVIC International is well-equipped to handle the challenges ahead.
It has more than 80,000 employees in more than 180 countries and regions, and is controlledby the giant Aviation Industry Corp of China, an aerospace and defense company.
AVIC has been in Africa for 30 years and has diversified its businesses there to includeinfrastructure and livelihood projects.
China has gained experience and developed high-end technology, Liu said.
However, considering the high cost and the lack of support from African governments, he saidit is still challenging to promote new energy in the continent.
Major power cuts are still happening in some African nations due to shortages, but power is amust for the development of these countries, and making industry transfers from China is apracticable solution.
“Power to those countries is just like blood to human bodies. It will make those countriesenergetic,” he said.
“Not only does China have advanced technology in the energy industry, including coal-firedand gas power generation, but it also has lots of experience and great capability inmanufacturing and operations.
“If our capability is used here in Africa, it would have excellent opportunities to develop,” Liuadded.
The competitiveness of China’s power generation industry is shown by AVIC Inter-national’sparticipation in an engineering, procurement and construction project in Turkey to build two600,000 kilowatt power units, he said.
