The China Industry and Commerce Enterprises Association (CICEA) was officially established in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos on Sunday, as bilateral economic cooperation and trade between China and Nigeria has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years.

Addressing the opening ceremony in Golden Gate Complex, the largest of its kind in Lagos, CICEA President Qian Guolin said the CICEA "aims to improve relations between Lagos-based Chinese enterprises with local governments and governmental departments to protect the legal rights and interests of the Chinese companies and businessmen."

"The past few years," said Qian, also president of Juzhou Int'l Nigeria Ltd., "have witnessed vigorous development of Chinese enterprises and their social status in Nigeria's economic life has enhanced with each passing year."

However, Qian added, the Chinese enterprises have also faced a string of problems.

"The Chinese business people should renew their viewpoints to meet the requirements of the development of the Nigerian economy," he said.

The CICEA is the first non-governmental chamber of commerce established by the Lagos-based Chinese enterprises and business people. More than 200 people attended the opening ceremony, including a representative of the Lagos state governor.

The most populous African country with a population of over 126million, Nigeria is the largest market with huge potential. And Lagos is the largest transit seaport in the west African region.

Because of good quality and cheap price, Chinese-made products sell well in Nigeria. Statistics show that China's exports to Nigeria in the first half of this year amounted to over 800 million US dollars, hitting an all time high, or an increase of over 50 percent from the corresponding period of 2002.

Nigeria is China's third largest trade partner in Africa, after South Africa and Egypt.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2003)