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“On the occasion of the opening of the ‘The Touchroad China-Africa Invest Forum’, I would like, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Somalia, to extend our gratitude to the organizer, Touchroad International Holdings Group and its Chairman He Liehui (Khaaa Liye Khuwey) and express our wishes to the success of this forum to develop China-Africa friendship and promote Sino-Africa trade and economic cooperation” Commissioner General of Somalia, Abdriahman M. Haji-Jama

These opening remarks by the Somali delegate have come to resemble what China stands for in African development through its private and public enterprises venturing into unveiled black diamond of Africa.

For many Chinese people, Africa is a place full of mystery because it is far away. But He Liehui, a Zhejiang businessman, has deep ties with the vast continent where he started his business in Ghana with a paltry $700.00 in 2000.

Recently a two-day 2009 African Investment Summit Forum took place at Shanghai International Conference Center. Representatives from more than 18 African countries, including Botswana, Gabon, Namibia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe issued invitation letters to Chinese enterprises for investing in Africa.

Of the African countries, Botswana is the biggest beneficiary, in which Touchroad has made an investment commitment of more than USD600million. Touchroad took centre stage in inviting Chinese investors to join the bandwagon on exploring investment opportunities in Botswana through their Daheng-Touchroad Industrial Park.

Not to be outshined, Botswana was well represented by the ever glamorous, real estate business mogul, Lesang Magang, who boldly justified why it is convenient and more secure to invest or relocate to Botswana as a business hub than any other country which offers more luxurious and eco friendly accommodation such as Phakalane Golf Estates and resort.

According to Haji-Jama, cooperation and trade is an important part of China-Africa relations. “It is in the common interests of both sides to intensify this cooperation. I believe our relations with China are of the highest importance and what is required is nothing short of the strongest public-private cooperation.”

He stressed that, “Other opportunities could be in the hospitality, commercial and residential constrictions, so are roads, telecommunications, public health facilities, sewage systems, water and sewage treatments, waste management, so on and so forth, to prove that this investment is helping the communities and not destroying them.”

He further said that Chinese enterprises should engage in the economic and trade cooperation with Africa with first class technology, products and services, maintain the principles of fair competition and mutual benefit.

Unfortunately for the Botswana delegation, it turned out that there was only one private sector representation with BEDIA’s apparent absence. BEDIA is the sole Botswana export development and import agency for Botswana.

However, Magang carried the day and flew the Batswana flag high as he amplified the country’s stability and democratic principles as the backbone of a sound investment.

Shanghai has 58 enterprises that have directly invested in Africa with total investment exceeding USD80m. In 2007, import and export trade between Shanghai and Africa amounted to USD3.645b, China and Botswana have an Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, which was funded by Touchroad with USD51.8m, which is expected to attract Chinese enterprise to investment the country.

He Liehui’s relationship with Africa dates back to 2000. At that time, he had just graduated from college and worked in a local court. His father, who knew little English or any other language except Chinese, went to Botswana by himself to set up a business. To help his father, He Liehui quit his job and went to the faraway continent.