At 9:30 am Djibouti time on November 21st, the Overseas Seminar on Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training for Djibouti, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and organized by MOFCOM Training Base for International Business Officials (Shanghai), held its opening ceremony at the Djibouti International Exhibition Center. Liang Hao, Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Department of the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Djibouti, Dai Ying, Vice Dean of the School of International Education, Chekhem Mohammed, Deputy General Manager of the Djibouti Leadership and Entrepreneurship Center, and others were present at the site.
Liang Hao underscored the alignment between China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and Djibouti’s “Vision 2035”. The decade-long collaboration has spawned significant projects like the Asia-Djibouti Railway, the Doraleh Multifunctional Port, and the International Free Trade Zone, bolstering Djibouti's aspirations to establish itself as a regional maritime, logistics, and trade hub. The purpose behind China's hosting of this training course, according to Liang Hao, extends beyond fostering mutual understanding; it aims to enhance the employment capabilities of Djibouti's youth. He expressed hope that participants would become future ambassadors of friendship, propelling Sino-Djibouti cooperation to new heights.
Dai Ying, in her remarks, highlighted that, “With the top-level design, personal promotion, and joint efforts of the leaders of the both countries, the current China-Djibouti relationship has entered the best period full of opportunities and promise. Nowadays, mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields between the two has blossomed everywhere and achieved fruitful results.” She emphasized China's commitment to close cooperation and support, envisioning the training course as a platform for participants to share innovative experiences, address challenges, and collectively navigate evolving environments.
Chekhm Mohammad formulated that, “Youth is an important labor resource for promoting economic and social development, a key component of human resources, and a significant force for sustainable development in a country and region. The experience and practices of various countries around the world have proven that entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to achieve employment.” He believed that the seminar deepens bilateral ties by sharing China’s experiences, fostering mutual development, and injecting new vitality into the innovation and entrepreneurship collaboration between the two nations.
Abdulrahman Mohammad Abudi, representing the participants, lauded the training course as more than an opportunity to acquire new skills. He deemed it a catalyst for knowledge cooperation and exchange, echoing the sentiment that this initiative is a starting point for Djibouti's youth to strive for self-improvement.
Spanning from November 21st to November 30th, the 10-day training course boasted 45 participants from 28 different institutions, including Djibouti Telecom Company, Chamber of Commerce, Free Trade Zone, East Trans Transportation Company, Abbe Build Company, Golden Africa Company, etc. China Merchants Shekou provided robust support for the program.
MOFCOM Training Base for International Business Officials (Shanghai) has been improving the training mode, providing various educational programs and related projects, and taking steps in advancing foreign aid training. The Djibouti overseas project, a novel venture for the base, bridged a gap in overseas education offerings. Rigorous preparation and meticulous attention to detail ensured the seamless launch of the project, cementing its place as a milestone in the enduring friendship and collaboration between China and Djibouti.
Written by: Zhou Dejiang
Photos by: Zhou Dejiang
Reviewed by: Chen Wei
