Beijing and Lomé to Boost their Cooperation in Many Sectors

Investments

Tuesday, 24 August 2021 12:41

Beijing and Lomé to Boost their Cooperation in Many Sectors

(Togo First) - The second session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation between China and Togo was held yesterday, August 23, 2021, by videoconference. The first session took place in Lomé, 13 years ago.

The meeting aimed to define new objectives for cooperation, at the diplomatic and economic levels, between the two nations. Among figures who took part in the session were Togo’s minister and secretary-general of the presidency, Sandra Johnson, and Qian Keming, China’s deputy minister for trade.

“Overall, the implementation of commitments by both parties is satisfactory. That is undeniable,” said Johnson. She added: Important achievements were recorded regarding cooperation, water, education, health, agriculture, public works, transport, communication, digital economy, administrative infrastructure, and sports.

The two parties however called for the consolidation of cooperation in many other areas.

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More to come

Qian Keming said China will boost its relationship with Togo, by focusing on areas like public health, employment, production, and social inclusion, in line with the Togolese government’s five-year roadmap. The latter revolves around 10 key axes and breaks down into 42 projects and major reforms.

“China is ready to support Togo as much as possible and according to the feasibility and maturation of advanced projects,” Keming said.

In this framework, China will send a delegation to assess the feasibility of many rural water projects which are to be developed across Togo’s five administrative regions.

Other projects in which the Middle Empire is involved in Togo include a project to provide access to satellite television in 200 villages, another to rehabilitate the presidential palace before the end of 2021. Besides, talks with Eximbank China should continue for the financing of the rehabilitation and renovation of Niamtougou’s airport and the expansion of Lomé’s airport which was built and delivered by China in 2016.

“China appreciates the active efforts that Togo makes to develop its economy and improve its business climate, and is ready to encourage Chinese businesses to take part in major projects falling under sectors highlighted in the roadmap, such as digital economy, energy, environmental protection, and industrial production.”

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However...

Qian Keming, China’s deputy minister for trade, while lauding Togo’s efforts in recent years, wishes that the Togolese government will simplify administrative procedures for Chinese businesses and workers coming to the West African country.

“We would like the Togolese side to provide us with more facilities in the issuance of visas, work permits, customs clearance of goods, and civil protection,” he noted.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.