China steps up support for companies ‘going global’
Updated: Dec 25,2014 7:09 PM english.gov.cn
Premier Li Keqiang chaired the executive meeting of the State Council on Dec 24, when the decision was made to step up financial support for companies planning to operate abroad, so as to facilitate industrial upgrading.
Premier Li has just concluded a three-nation visit to Eurasia, which resulted in cooperation agreements worth tens of billions of US dollars.
“In the past, we exported a container of goods in exchange for a color TV. Today, China’s exported equipment has more added value,” Li said at the meeting.
He also said that China should transform itself from being the world’s factory that only produces consumer goods into an important base that exports advanced equipment.
Rare opportunity
After signing deals worth about $14 billion, China and Kazakhstan agreed on another cooperation framework worth $18 billion - an unexpected result achieved during Premier Li’s visit to Kazakhstan from Dec 14 to 15.
Li recalled more details of his tour at the executive meeting.
Kazakhstan had originally only expected to increase exports to China in the sectors of energy and farm produce, but - after he learned more about Kazakhstan’s Bright Road program - Premier Li proposed a package of capacity-building cooperation initiatives.
The Bright Road program - put forward by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev a month ago - focuses on the development of infrastructure, including roads and homes.
But the Premier learnt that Kazakhstan does not have a cement plant or flat glass plant, and it only has one small-scale steel plant - a situation which certainly does not meet the requirements of the program.
“How about if we cooperate on this program? China can install production equipment in your country and help to realize the Bright Road program,” Li told Nazarbayev - who was reportedly amazed by the suggestion and showed much interest.
The Kazakh government made plans and secured the required funding immediately after the meeting.