Mr Djiba Diakité, Minister Director of the Office of the Presidency, Chairman of the Simandou Strategic Committee, and Chairman of the Sino-Guinean Framework Agreement, led a high-level Guinean delegation on Thursday, 5th September 2024, for a meeting with the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC). This meeting follows a one-on-one between the two heads of state on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). It was part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly focusing on the Simandou project, which is key to Guinea’s economic development.
From the outset, Mr. Djiba Diakité reiterated the vision of the President of the Republic of Guinea, General Mamadi Doumbouya, who has placed the Simandou project at the heart of Guinea’s industrial transformation. This vision includes implementing several priority projects across key sectors, such as agriculture, the food industry and trade, education and culture, infrastructure, transportation and technology, economics, finance and insurance, as well as health and well-being.
These sectors represent the five priority areas of the SIMANDOU 2040 programme, spearheaded by the Head of State.
Mr Djiba Diakité expressed his gratitude to President Xi Jinping, on behalf of President Mamadi Doumbouya, for his continued support to Guinea, highlighting that this support is crucial for the “Simandou 2040” development programme, which aims to transform Guinea into an international industrial hub through these five priority areas.
The priorities discussed during the meeting included:
- The construction of refineries in accordance with the commitments made by Chinese partner companies (CHALCO, CDM Henan China, and SPIC).
- Compliance with quality standards for infrastructure, particularly roads.
- The implementation of projects identified in phase 2 of the framework agreement, which aims to develop Guinean mining resources while strengthening the country’s infrastructure capabilities.
These projects will not only help develop vital infrastructure, such as toll roads and the railway linking the Simandou corridor but also create special economic zones, particularly in Mamou, to establish the city as a commercial hub for Guinea and the sub-region.
At the conclusion of this fruitful meeting, Mr Djiba Diakité appointed the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ismaël Nabé, to oversee the agreement’s progress. On the Chinese side, the NDRC also appointed a focal point to facilitate the implementation of the decisions taken. This partnership aligns with the shared vision of the two heads of state to build a community of shared destiny and ensure common prosperity for their respective populations.
Ultimately, this meeting marks a significant step forward in Sino-Guinean cooperation and lays the foundations for a promising future for both nations. The implementation of the commitments made at this meeting is expected to sustainably transform the Guinean economy and improve the well-being of its population, in line with the vision of the Simandou 2040 programme.
