China-Africa: Evaluation of Cooperation

4 years ago three sister organizations the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) and the China Enterprise Confederation (CEC) started a cooperation project on "Doing Responsible Business in Africa."

NHO was in a position to combine a long and friendly relationship with both the China Enterprise Confederation (CEC) and Uganda Employers Federation (FUE) into a tripartite cooperation between the 3 organisations.

Chinese companies are welcomed in Africa. They are now present and active in most sectors from big infrastructure projects to small trade businesses. In Uganda Chinese investment topped  the list of FDI in 2009/2010. About 1000 small Chinese Enterprises are in the country and up to 30 bigger state owned companies are registered in Uganda.

It is important that Chinese companies know the local culture and follow the local rules and regulations in working life. FUE is welcoming them as member companies and is also ready to assist in this regard.

The tripartite project has for the last 4 years established a network and platform for discussion with Chinese companies regarding labour issues. Documents have been translated into Chinese and presented at workshops. Issues on Best practise have been introduced from both Norwegian, Ugandan and Chinese companies.

In August the project was evaluated by Dr. He Wenping from Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS) and Ms. Rebecca Namulu from Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). The findings and recommendations from the evaluation were presented in Beijing in October. The report reveals interesting and positive findings and recommends improvement for the next phase. "This cooperation is unique" says Dr. He. "The only practical tripartite cooperation in Africa".

The 3 organisations met in Beijing in October to discuss the report and made a new application for funding based on the findings and recommendations.

The team of employers also met with the Norwegian embassy in Beijing H.E. Mr. Svein O. Sæther. Ambassador Sæther was impressed with the outcome of the project, he made the following comments, "I think this kind of practical cooperation in the field is very important and I strongly encourage  further cooperation."

The team was invited to meet China National Offshore Oil Corp in Beijing. Uganda has recently discovered oil and CNOOC is in a process of finalising a project with the Ugandan government. The 3 organisations met with the President of CNOOC, Mr. Fu Chengyu and Mr. Fang Zhi, President of CNOOC international. Mr. Fu was eager to cooperate with the 3 employers organizations in Uganda and confirmed that CNOOC will become a member of FUE.