Sweetening the Economic Landscape
China-Nigeria Collaboration Unveils Sugar Hub Blueprint
In a landmark move on March 8th, 2024, Nigeria’s Joerno Conceptions Ltd and the National Sugar Development Council initiated strategic discussions with the Chinese government and three esteemed Chinese agricultural firms
The Chairman JCL (top right) & his partner Mr Kerry Yang (down right) in a zoom meeting with Nigeria Sugar Development Council (NSDC) (down left) and the Sugar Corporation (top left) over the establishment of the China-Nigeria Sugar Industrial hub.
March 8th, 2024 marked a significant milestone in Sino-Nigerian relations as Joerno Conceptions Ltd and the National Sugar Development Council engaged in preliminary talks with the Chinese government. This pivotal meeting, involving key players among whom are: the China Sugar Cooperation, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Agricultural Zoning, and Quingyeng Agricultural Technology Promotion Centre; activated the strategic road map for the establishment of the China-Nigeria Sugar Industrial Hub.
In attendance were:
Picture 1 - Chinese Partners
- Chen Guoer: (Chairman of Guangdong Peifeng Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.) Project team leader, coordinating the overall work of the project.
- Cao Qingwei: (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Standing Member of the High-tech Agricultural Application Committee of the Chinese Agricultural Society) Deputy team leader of the project, responsible for the overall planning and layout of the sugar industry and the arrangement of equipment.
- Ou Jianhong: (Chairman of Guangdong Lighting Countryside Industry Co., Ltd.) Deputy project leader, responsible for administration, reception, and special docking of the Belt and Road Initiative.
- Deng Yuanqian: (Senior Agronomist of Qingyuan Rural Professional and Technical Association) project leader, responsible for the planning, layout and technology of the sugarcane planting industrial zone..
- Liang Weisheng: (Shareholder of Guangdong Ganzhu Cannery Factory) Special project leader, responsible for the planning, layout and technology of sugar deep processing and food industrial zone.
- Xiao Wenfang (COFCO Sugar Project Manager) is the special person in charge of the project, responsible for the project’s outreach work, coordinating the cooperation of COFCO Sugar, and contacting other units to provide support
Picture 2 - Nigeria
Picture 3 - Nigeria Sugar Development Council
- Mr Kamar Bakrin (Executive Secretary)
- Mr. Teslim Bello (Special Adviser I, to the Executive Secretary),
- Edrin Akemu (Special Adviser (II) to the Executive Secretary),
- Mr. Balarabe Ladan (Head of Technical Services Department),
- Lade Ofurrum (Executive Assistant to the Executive Secretary), and
- Mr Bolaji Tojola (Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary).
Picture 4 - Australia
The proposed hub is a testament to the shared vision of economic cooperation for innovation and development to elevate Nigeria’s position in the global sugar market. With this initiative, the partners anticipate a surge in job creation, technology transfer, local capacity development and sustainable agricultural practices.