Economic And Trade Cooperation Between China And Benin

The world is experiencing profound changes in international relations;the most notable of which is China-Africa relations.As an emerging force of politics and economy;China continues to strengthen and expand friendly relations and cooperation with African countries.This means that the evolution of the international order will have a major impact.African leaders see China as an attractive economic partner(Chen,Keung,Lau,Boansi,&Bilgin,2016).According to the 2017 report of UNCTAD(United Nations Conference on Trade and Development),China has become the world's second largest recipient of foreign investment and the second largest investor in the African continent.Since the 1990s,China's economy has become increasingly international,and trade and foreign investment have become important factors for rapid economic growth.Since then,China-Africa trade has undergone profound changes.The Republic of Benin(formerly Dahomey)is a country in West Africa,which has an area of 114,764 km2 and a population of 10,741,458 in 2016.Benin is bordered by Togo to West,Nigeria to the east,and Niger and Burkina Faso to the north.Since the reestablishment of their diplomatic relations in 1972,Benin and China have begun bilateral cooperation,which is constantly increasing.This has resulted in the construction of many infrastructures,and despite the geographical distance,the two countries are united by an unwavering solidarity and a constructive vision of South-South cooperation.China and Benin decided to establish diplomatic relations.Indeed the Chinese government has formulated in Benin more than thirty projects of governmental assistance.This cooperation is accompanied by economic benefits,including the construction of six hydraulic dams and approximately 100 boreholes.The construction of Lokossa Hospital is followed by 14 medical missions.Since 1978,the Chinese government has sent 380 doctors(two years for each mission)in Natitingou,Kandi and Lokossa and Cotonou.Through more than 500,000 visits and 50,000 surgeries,Chinese doctors have cured countless Benin patients.The development of the Adjahara hydropower dam was signed by the governments of China and Benin in 2004.According to this,the Export-Import Bank of China helped the project with loans of more than 30 billion US dollars.China accounts for 20%of the world's population and is a potential market for more than one billion buyers.Therefore,China's assistance to Benin can be an important asset that must be capitalized in order to maximize its impact and effectively fight poverty reduction.Therefore,in this study,we propose to study the impact of China's cooperation with Benin on Benin's foreign trade.This question does raise this main question:Can trade cooperation between China and Benin change the way it trades internationally?The analytical method of this study is based on literature collection,Internet and data collection of trade between Benin and China in specialized agencies,after which we use descriptive statistical tools(calculating averages and percentages)to process them.The first step is to determine the impact of trade cooperation between Benin and its traditional partners.In the second step,an investigation is conducted to collect all the documents on the intervention of the two countries.The collection considers administrative documents,public and private agreements,and partnerships at different intervention levels.This information collection collects data on international trade structures in different ministries and other coordinating bodies,as well as from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis(INSAE)management.First,the thesis presents the Background of the subject and the importance of the research;then the content and method of research and finally the Innovation and the deficiencies.The second part introduced the literature review;the different theories of International Trade and the theories related to international investments.The third part is about the impact on Benin's foreign trade structure;Then the overall evolution of foreign trade over the past five years and finally the impact on Benin's economic development.The fourth part introduces will first present the basic principles and main axes of the commercial cooperation between China and Benin;then the different potential benefits of trade cooperation between China and Benin;then finally the analysis of trade relations and investments between China and Benin.The fifth part presents the different perspectives of cooperation between China and the resources of Benin.Finally,a summary of the entire thesis..Chinese investment is weak but oriented in key sectors of the Beninese economy.Current regional trade trends have shown a significant and continuing increase in the value of imports originating in China,as well as a modest export increase in exports from Benin to China.Benin's import and export trends with China are not evolving at the same pace,leading to an imbalance in trade.In terms of foreign direct investment,the weight of Chinese investors is not negligible and is around 10%.Chinese companies are indeed among the job providers in Benin.Although in recent years imports of products of Chinese origin have led local manufacturers to offer much more qualitative products,cooperation with China is mutually beneficial and China has promoted the development of Benin.Benin,however,needs to review its trade policy with China in order to take advantage of China's tariff reduction on manufactured goods in Benin(in line with trade agreements);and reduce transportation and communication costs in the Chinese market,which,in my opinion,will facilitate the introduction of these products into the Chinese market.Benin must therefore seek to export to the Chinese market products of superior quality.