In an ever tightening economic relation with China, the Republic of the Congo saw the opening of a new office in Brazzaville for the Chinese company Jin Jin International. The company’s CEO, Dr. Bain Wen Bao, opened Jin Jin’s office on February 26 alongside the representative of the chamber of commerce Congo-France, Rock Borgia Otoungou. The Chinese company works in a number of sectors including import-export, construction and cooperative technology projects. The opening of the Brazzaville office is quite auspicious as it comes at a time in which President Denis Sassou Nguesso has initiated a massive modernization and industrialization effort in the Republic of the Congo.
This situation is very beneficial to Jin Jin International. The infrastructure development program takes into account the renovation and construction of roads, railways, airports, naval facilities, real estate and securities, hydroelectric power, health, academics, and sports complexes—all areas of industry that Jin Jin International is involved in. The company has already been in the neighboring capital of Kinshasa for some ten years, providing the Chinese firm with considerable experience in the region. Operations manager Andre Ilunga has said, “The Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville are the two closest countries in the world, and each country has specific needs. Africa is a great site. The best things that push our country development is construction.”
With experience in construction and various other industries, Jin Jin International is also respectful of national laws and regulations governing investment in the different countries it operates. Dr. Bai Wen Bao has highlighted how the company benefits the countries in which it works: “Not only do we draw profits for our business, but we also contribute to the coffers of the state, properly and regularly paying taxes owed to the state and also providing work for the country’s population.
China and the Republic of the Congo have had a very fruitful relationship. China recognized the Republic of the Congo’s independence in 1960 and established relations in 1964. This year the two heads of the state—Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Congo and Xi Jinping of China—sent each congratulatory messages marking the 50th anniversary of their international relationship. This month also saw the construction of a 30 kilovolt electricity line connecting the towns of Owando and Makoua, thanks to a joint effort by the two countries. These two towns are capitals of their respective districts and their electrification is a key part of Nguesso’s goal of bringing electricity to every village in the Republic of the Congo. President Denis Sassou Nguesso began this concerted electrification initiative back in 2012. China has proven integral in this development, especially with its considerable help in constructing the Imboulou Dam on the Lefini River. Therefore, the opening of Jin Jin International’s Brazzaville office is just another step in those close economic relationship between Congo-Brazzaville and China.
