The spokesman of commerce ministry, Chongquan announced that Chinese government will give the most undeveloped countries of Africa tax-free treatment for some products importing to China from January 1, 2005. China aim to enlarge the importing from Africa and promote the bilateral development between China and Africa.

Chongquan has expressed this announcement was released in “China-Africa forum 2nd Ministry Meeting”, as the developing country, China promised helping Africa countries to develop his economy through some positive means basic on own ability. From January 1, 2005, Chinese government has began to use this policy on 25 Africa countries, they are Burundi, Comorin, Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and etc. They got 190 tax items for this treatment in all this time.

Chongquan said that Financial Ministry, Commerce Ministry and Custom Ministry did operate action immediately and realize the promise positively upon Chinese government promise giving this treatment to Africa countries. In the short time, Chinese government have finished the certificate procedure of 25 related Africa countries for accepting the subscription and inspection of the favoured commodity list, the original principle and the original certificate. They are promoting related procedure of other Africa countries have not finished certificate at present.

Chongquan expressed that China and Africa must have a new development on commerce cooperation through the common effort of China and Africa.

As we knew, Commerce Ministry will convene the meeting to explain this new policy, thus offer Chinese enterprise the advantage to hold information in time.

(News from CEC-CEDA)