Overseas warehouse launches trial operations

An international marketing service overseas warehouse of the Zambia Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone has recently begun trial operations, with the first batch of companies completing the storage of goods, a move expected to provide integrated services including warehousing, Customs clearance and distribution for Chinese enterprises entering African markets.

The facility is projected to reduce overall logistics costs by between 20 and 30 percent, according to its operator, China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co (CJIC).

The overseas warehouse is part of a provincial-level international marketing services platform jointly developed within the Zambia Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone. It is positioned as a key import-export hub linking Jiangxi province with southern Africa, while also serving as a comprehensive platform for industrial and supply-chain services. It is Jiangxi's first overseas economic and trade cooperation zone. Established via joint investment by seven Jiangxi-based State-owned enterprises, it has attracted 20 projects spanning sectors such as photovoltaic energy storage, power equipment manufacturing and copper processing. Total investment has reached over $200 million, creating more than 3,000 local jobs.

Beyond industrial development, the zone has also begun to reshape the lives of local families.

Cynthia Chiyowa, 22, previously worked in physically demanding farming jobs. She is now a floor supervisor at a hotel within the zone, managing more than 10 employees. Her monthly income has risen to nearly 5,000 kwacha ($222).

Aaron Malupande, who relied on temporary jobs three years ago, now oversees a production workshop after mastering the full transformer manufacturing process at a company based in the zone. His monthly income is close to 8,000 kwacha.

"I used to barely make a living doing manual labor," he said."Now I have a skill and a more stable life. The arrival of Chinese companies has changed my life."

Zambian Vice-President Mutale Nalumango said Jiangxi and Zambia share a long-standing friendship, adding that Zambia hopes to learn from China's experience in green development and to deepen practical cooperation across multiple fields.

She said Zambia looks forward to advancing joint projects and further strengthening relations between the two countries.

A senior official with the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Commerce said the Zambia Jiangxi Economic Cooperation Zone is a key platform supporting Jiangxi's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and an important vehicle for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

From January to September this year, Jiangxi's outbound direct investment reached $1.16 billion, up 40.9 percent year-on-year. Investment in Belt and Road partner countries totaled $364 million, an increase of 127.5 percent, according to official data.

zhaoruinan@chinadaily.com.cn