赞比亚―中国经贸合作区建设与发展

Construction and Development of the Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone

以非洲南部赞中经贸合作区为案例,在梳理其建立背景与发展历程基础上,分析了合作区发展的优势及面临的挑战,优势主要有:赞比亚国内较稳定的政治经济环境、两国政府的政策保障与激励、较大的市场辐射范围、全方位"一站式"服务与园区较为成熟的管理经验;发展过程中面临的困难与挑战有:区外基础设施差、法律与政策变动、资金短缺、安全问题和舆论质疑。最后探讨了其建设的经验与启示,提出:合作区要发挥企业投资主体作用,解决企业融资问题,着力打造完整产业链,履行社会责任,加强中非交流,应对负面舆论。

Since the 1980s, China has begun its direct investment in Africa. Economic and trade cooperation has been strengthened under the joint efforts of both sides. China has established six economic and trade cooperation zones in Africa according to the successful experiences of Chinese special economic zones, and the establishment and operation of these economic and trade cooperation zones are in line with the interests of both sides and have a huge potential for development. Up till now, research by experts in China and abroad has mainly focused on the establishment background, development process and status, influencing factors, and measures and suggestions for sustainable development of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation zones without in-depth investigation of a single economic and trade cooperation zone. Therefore, using Zambia-China Economic and Cooperation Zone in southern Africa as an example, the present paper analyzes the advantages of and challenges faced by the cooperation zone based on its establishment background and development process. One advantage is a mature political and economic environment in Zambia. Zambia has a mature national system and maintains friendly relations with many countries. Its GDP has achieved continuous positive growth for years now, and its macro-economy is stable. Another advantage is reflected in the protection and incentive policies made by the two governments： the Chinese government set up an economic and trade cooperation zone development fund and provides policy support for investment and financing; Zambia provides work permit and tax incentives. In addition, Zambia has a large market radiation circle; it is not only a founding member of the World Trade Organization, but also a member of the East African Common Market and the Southern African Development Community. Last but not least, the cooperation zone provides a full range of ＂one-stop＂ services for enterprises, and Zambia＇s mature management experience has provided favorable conditions for the development of the cooperative zone. However, the cooperation zone is also facing some difficulties and challenges in its development process. The infrastructure outside the zone lags behind, especially transportation and power, which has become a bottleneck restricting the development of the cooperative zone; Zambia＇s presidential election in every 5 years easily leads to legal and policy changes; the initial big investment but low profitability leads to financial shortage; additionally, Zambia＇s prominent disease problems are questioned by the Western countries. According to the existing problems in the cooperation zone, the present paper discusses the experience and implications of its construction. The cooperation zone should rely on the Chinese government to set up a SME Development Fund and help Chinese financial institutions to set up branches in Africa to provide financing consulting, financial management and other aspects of services timely for enterprises; enterprises should play their roles in investment, focus on creating a complete industrial chain, make job-division and collaboration, reduce production costs and achieve economies of scale and agglomeration effect, and enhance cooperation competitiveness and ability to resist risks; enterprises should strictly abide by local laws and regulations, respect local culture and customs, and pay attention to the protection of local ecological environment; enterprises should focus on local people＇s livelihood, share achievements with local people, and actively fulfill their social responsibilities so as to obtain long-term sustainable development; last, exchanges between China and Africa should be strengthened and negative public opinion should be dealt with.