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Largest China-Russia Land Port Reinvents Itself as Industrial Hub

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Russia

HOHHOT, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 May 2025 – As China’s largest land port, Manzhouli is expanding beyond its traditional role as a “transit station.” By promoting local processing of grain, oil and timber, the city is steadily evolving into a regional industrial hub.

At Manzhouli Xinfeng Grain and Oil Industry Co., Ltd., freshly imported rapeseed from Russia is processed on intelligent production lines. From dehulling to pressing, the procedures run smoothly, as golden rapeseed oil gently streams into storage tanks.

“As soon as the raw materials clear customs, we go straight into production, operating around the clock,” said Yang Zhihong, deputy general manager of the company. He noted that Russian rapeseed oil, prized for its low acid value and high smoke point, is particularly popular among domestic downstream enterprises.

This “Russian supply, Chinese processing” model is fueling a growing shift among local businesses, pushing them beyond mere trade toward more advanced, value-added processing.

Yang crunched the numbers. “By importing raw materials through ‘border trade’, a special policy that allows residents in border areas to conduct small-scale cross-border trade under simplified customs procedures, we save an average of 500 yuan (about 69.5 U.S. dollars) per tonne. Since last year, that’s added up to savings of over 8 million yuan,” he explained.

This model cuts traditional trade taxes and fees from around 18 percent to less than 4 percent of total costs. It enables enterprises to source raw materials at lower prices, while border residents earn income from the price difference, creating a win-win supply chain involving border residents, cooperatives and enterprises.

As of April 2025, “border trade” in Manzhouli has surpassed 100 million yuan this year, with more than 3,600 border residents taking part, generating nearly 2 million yuan in tax revenue to the city.

The roaring development of Manzhouli’s timber processing industry goes hand in hand with the grain and oil sector. Since establishing an imported timber processing base in 2003, Manzhouli has continuously focused on deep and fine processing, showcasing the strong potential of its timber manufacturing industry.

Located in the Inner Mongolia Manzhouli border economic cooperation zone, the import-export resource processing industrial park processes up to 5.6 million cubic meters of timber annually. It has developed a diverse product lineup, including solid wood furniture, doors and windows, wood pellets, and solid wood flooring.

In 2023, the city’s timber import reached 1.88 million cubic meters, demonstrating the strong momentum of the industry’s growth.

Meanwhile, Manzhouli has planned the development of a 2.74-square-kilometer chemical industry cluster within the import-export resource processing industrial park. This cluster will primarily rely on the import of large quantities of liquefied petroleum gas, methanol, and alkanes from Russia to drive integrated new energy chemical utilization and related projects.

The cluster will provide high-end, premium chemical intermediates for domestic advanced polymer materials and engineering plastics, injecting new momentum into the city’s economic development.

Bai Zhiping, an official from the Manzhouli municipal commerce bureau, said that Manzhouli’s transformation from a “transit station” to an “industrial hub” reflects the development of the port-based processing model.

An increasing number of enterprises are moving beyond the traditional “transit economy” and are leveraging the advantages of the border to create a new industrial ecosystem focused on deep processing.

In the first quarter of this year, Manzhouli’s import and export freight volume reached 6.53 million tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 10.6 percent. The value of imports and exports handled by the Manzhouli port reached 47.67 billion yuan, up 6.1 percent year on year.

 

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As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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