On December 18th, a delegation led by Explore Group, alongside the Arab-Africa Investment and Development Center (CAAID), visited Shenzhen’s Yantian Port for a research tour of relevant enterprises. The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Zhan Hua, Deputy Director of the Yantian District Bureau of Commerce, as well as Dr. M’hamed Amine Boutalbi, President of CAAID, Explore Group’s Chairman Fu Tongbin, General Manager Bi Wenxiao, President of Explore International Thoms Ong, and Assistant to the Chairman Zhou Jinzhu.
In the morning, the group visited companies such as Shuyu Wuying and Xinyuan Jingwu, where they received live demonstrations of low-altitude economic management platforms in collaboration with these companies. The delegation explored China’s current development of drones, and Dr. Amine Boutalbi expressed great interest in the country’s advancements in drone technology. Chairman Fu Tongbin shared Explore Group’s willingness to connect African enterprises with China’s leading drone companies to help develop the drone industry in Africa. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on this topic.
The group also visited Shuyu Wuying and Xinyuan Jingwu’s latest development of full-color optoelectronic functional material solar panels. Dr. Amine Boutalbi took a detailed tour of the materials and technologies, expressing his interest in the vast market potential in Africa and hopes for future cooperation. Mr. He Qian, General Manager of Shuyu Wuying and Xinyuan Jingwu’s Shenzhen office, was present during the visit.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Yantian International Container Terminal Co., Ltd. and toured the exhibition hall. Dr. Amine Boutalbi was impressed by the history and rapid development of Yantian Port, as well as the speed of China’s infrastructure construction. He inquired about port shipping routes and discussed the potential for connecting Africa with Chinese ports. The group also visited the terminal’s automated platform system, with Dr. Boutalbi praising the system’s capabilities. Ms. Sun Xuling (Sheree), Deputy General Manager of the International Business Department at Yantian Port, was present to facilitate the visit.
Following the port visit, the delegation toured BGI’s global headquarters, BGI Space, for a deeper look at the company’s work in genetics. Dr. Amine Boutalbi attentively learned about BGI’s services, toured laboratory equipment and diagnostic tools, and engaged in a discussion with BGI executives. Mr. Cao Wei, Director of BGI’s Public Affairs Department, and Ms. Wang Wanyue, Senior Sales Manager for Europe and Africa, also participated in the meeting. Dr. Boutalbi expressed his gratitude for BGI’s contributions to Africa’s healthcare and agricultural sectors and hoped for continued cooperation in these areas. He proposed various channels to facilitate project collaborations between China and Africa.
Thoms Ong, President of Explore International, expressed a willingness to partner with BGI to connect African projects with Chinese resources, utilizing BGI’s expertise and Explore Group’s resources to address healthcare and agricultural challenges in Africa, while jointly establishing research projects. The delegation posed for a group photo with BGI staff before returning to Guangzhou.
Dr. Amine Boutalbi was deeply impressed by the visit to Shenzhen, praising China’s rapid development and technological capabilities. He expressed hope for comprehensive cooperation with Explore Group to leverage China’s resources in driving Africa’s development.