Across mountains and seas, the strength of Liaoning has taken deep root and flourished on the African continent.
"We will never let you down and will continue to be the navigator and escort for Liaoning enterprises to 'go global'!"
At the fourth session of the 13th Liaoning Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Zhang Hao, Chairman of the Uganda Zhang Group, delivered a firm and powerful speech. As a specially invited representative, Zhang Hao made a special trip back to China to attend the meeting and report face-to-face to the provincial party committee and government on the construction achievements and future plans of the Liaoning-Shenyang Industrial Park
01 From Shenyang to Uganda, an entrepreneur's 26-year commitment
"I am from Shenyang, Liaoning, and have been living in Uganda for 26 years." Zhang Hao's opening remarks served as a bridge, instantly bringing the venue closer to Africa. Over the past 26 years, he has evolved from an ordinary entrepreneur to an industrialist involved in various fields such as real estate, hotels, electrical appliances, security, food processing, logistics, and customs clearance in Uganda. All of this is for a greater dream - to build an industrial highland in Africa that belongs to Liaoning.
02
8000亩园区如何从蓝图变为现实？
In December 2015, the Liaoning-Shenyang Industrial Park officially broke ground in Uganda. Today, the 8,000-mu (approximately 533.33 hectares) park has transformed from a barren land into the largest private industrial park in Uganda. "As of now, 32 enterprises have settled in the park, and negotiations are underway with another 8," Zhang Hao revealed during the on-site report. The park's supporting facilities have been fully completed - a 132-megawatt power station, a well-established water and electricity network, and a one-stop government service center are all in place, with customs, taxation, immigration, and other agencies directly settling in for office operations. "From the time an enterprise is established to the time it starts production, all procedures can be handled within the park," Zhang Hao said with pride.
03 Not only is it a park, but it is also a "bridgehead" for China-Uzbekistan cooperation
The Liaoning-Shenyang Industrial Park focuses on fields such as food processing, building materials, textiles, electrical appliances, and agricultural products, attracting investments from enterprises in Liaoning, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, and other regions. "We have not only created jobs and tax revenue, but also built a sustainable platform for industrial cooperation," Zhang Hao emphasized. The park has become an important hub for deepening economic and trade exchanges between China and Uzbekistan.
04 The future has arrived: Two major plans continue to write a new chapter
Facing the future, Zhang Hao proposed a clear "two-step" plan: Firstly, accelerate the investment attraction for the remaining 3,500 acres of land to promote the park to reach full production capacity; secondly, initiate the construction of the Liaoning-Shenyang Mining Industrial Park - an additional 3,200 acres of land have been acquired by 2025, with the goal of signing and implementing the project within 2026. "We are actively seeking policy support to promote more Liaoning enterprises to enter and take root in Africa," said Zhang Hao.
05 "Thank you, hometown! Liaoning will always be our backing!"
During the report, Zhang Hao repeatedly expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Liaoning Provincial Government. "The Provincial Department of Commerce, the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, and the Provincial Development and Reform Commission have organized several investment promotion meetings to encourage us to 'go global'; several provincial leaders have personally traveled to Uganda to guide our work; in 2018, Comrade Wang Yang made a special trip to inspect the park... We will always remember this support."
His words were sincere, creating a warm and solemn atmosphere in the venue.
06 Solemn commitment: to be a good navigator for enterprises' "going global"
As an entrepreneur who has emerged from Liaoning, Zhang Hao made a solemn commitment on the spot: "We will continue to play our role as a bridge and a link, fully guarantee the steady development of Liaoning enterprises overseas, effectively reduce investment risks, continuously optimize the service system, and ensure that every hometown enterprise that comes to Uganda can take root and thrive with peace of mind." He said that every step of the development of the Liaoning-Shenyang Industrial Park embodies the wisdom and strength of Liaoning, and it will surely bear more fruitful cooperation results in the future. From the old industrial base in Northeast China to the development frontier in East Africa, the story of the Liaoning-Shenyang Industrial Park is a vivid portrayal of Liaoning people's courage to venture and open up cooperation in the new era. Zhang Hao's on-site report is not only a report card but also a letter of tribute to his hometown and a vision for the future. Under the strong leadership of the provincial party committee and government, more and more "Liaoning business cards" are going global, writing a new chapter of win-win cooperation.
