Villepin calls for new look at Africa

France is keen to support the globalization strategies of Chinese companies in Africa with its well-established financial services and commercial networks, former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin told China Daily on Nov 17.

While most Chinese companies in Africa concentrate on English-speaking regions and compete with Indian, European and the United States companies for market share, Villepin called for a different approach.

"Chinese companies can focus on Francophone countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon or Algeria where international competition is not that tough," he said.

Currently, there are more than 120 million people across 31 Francophone countries in Africa that can speak French as either a first or a second language, according to a report published in June by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

"Central and West African countries are in the process of urbanization and industrialization. But most of the governments and companies have limited budgets to achieve the goals. China's comparative advantages in production capacity and equipment manufacturing can be combined with French technology and regional commercial networks for joint exploration of the African markets," said Villepin.

Such cooperation will benefit all parties, he said. African countries can achieve development at lower costs and fast speed, while China can realize its industrial upgrading. France can also deepen its business influence in Africa, he said.

China and France have started cooperation on education, security and public sanitation in Africa under government deals sealed in the past five years, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Attracted by France's strong business ties with Africa, Bank of China Ltd has set up three branches in Paris and Lyon to provide financial services to more than 240 Chinese companies in 31 countries.

zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn