The China-Sudan Agriculture Cooperation Development Zone is established in Sudan in 2016. It becomes first provincial-level overseas trade park established by Jinan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The China-Sudan Agriculture Cooperation Development Zone was recently designated as a provincial-level overseas economic and trade cooperation zone, local authorities announced on Dec 30, 2019. 

It is the first of its kind established by Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province.

The zone, supported by China Shandong International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shandong Hi-Speed Group, is located in Al Qadarif, Sudan.

It has a planned area of 2.2 square kilometers and has received investments totalling $35 million.

The zone established seven areas focusing on the development of cotton, oil crops, alfalfa planting, cotton spinning, oil crop processing and animal husbandry industries.

It aims to establish breeding bases and develop a free trade platform integrating agricultural product processing, logistics, and foreign trade.

To date, the area has improved living standards for 1, 500 households and created jobs for more than 15, 000 people in the region. It was also listed by the World Food Programme as a pilot project for helping Africa. 

Only four parks in Shandong province were designated as provincial-level overseas economic and trade cooperation zones.