UNIDO, China sign agreement to promote tech transfer, investments

The agreement was signed by UNIDO director-general, Kandeh K. Yumkella, and the deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Sha Hailin.

Facilitating outward investment from China

Under the agreement, the Shanghai Investment Promotion Centre (SIPC) will assist the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce in expanding cooperation between Shanghai-based industries and foreign partners. In parallel, Chinese investors will be assisted in identifying opportunities for industrial partnerships and developing business proposals.

The Investment Promotion Centre will also help selected developing countries in Africa by facilitating outward investment from China and by promoting technical and managerial transfer of know-how.

"Foreign direct investment plays an important role in industrial development. And technology transfer holds the key to resolving many environmental problems related to industrial production. Building sufficient institutional capacities is vital to attract foreign capital and to unleash its potential as a catalyst for industrial development," said UNIDO director-general Kandeh Yumkella.

Investment and Technology Promotion Centres, important instrument

He added that Investment and Technology Promotion Centres (ITPOs) in China were an important instrument for promoting South-South cooperation, especially in Africa.

Currently, UNIDO and China have 44 ongoing projects totalling some US$54 million, as well as 12 pipeline projects with the estimated budget of a total of US$30 million. Technical cooperation delivery has grown from US$9 million in 2007 to US$14 million in 2010.

The Investment Promotion Centre in Shanghai is one of eleven UNIDO ITPOs worldwide. In 2010, UNIDO organised a "UNIDO Week" at the Shanghai EXPO, which featured workshops, seminars and an exhibition.