Africa - China trade up by 24% from 1995 to 2007

SABC

The value of trade between China and Africa had increased by 24% to $74 billion between 1995 and 2007 according to figures released by the Trade Law Centre of Southern Africa (Tralac) today.

A researcher at Tralac, Taku Fundira, says Chinese imports from Africa increased by 27% over the review period while Chinese exports to Africa increased slower at 23%. "This resulted in a small trade deficit of $1.1billion for China with Africa in 2007."

These figures show that Angola and South Africa at 19%, Sudan (8%) and Egypt (6%) were China's biggest African trading partners over the period.

The top Chinese imports from Africa in 2007 were mineral products (80%), base metals (4%), precious stones and metals (4%), wood products (2%) and auto parts (2%).

The top Chinese exports to Africa in 2007 were clothing and textiles (13%) followed by machinery (9%), transport equipment (7%), base metals (2%) and footwear (2%).