Speech at the High-Level Meeting on SSC and TC

1. Speech at the High-Level Meeting on SSC and TC Mr. Yao Shenhong, Director General China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges Ministry of Commerce, P.R.China

2. Outline • Greetings • A Brief Introduction of CICETE • Solutions and case studies • China SSC Network • SS-Gate (brief) • Regional Cooperation project (brief) • Closing

3. A brief introduction of CICETE • Established in 1983, CICETE was appointed by the State Council as the exclusive agent in charge of UNDP and UNIDO projects in China • By the end of 2009, CICETE has arranged more than 900 projects with an total amount up to 900 million USD, covering a wide range of fields. • CICETE has built up a professional project management team over years of international project execution. Most of the people are bilingual and familiar with UNDP project rules.

4. A brief introduction of CICETE CICETE was awarded by SU/SSC of UNDP and G-77 for its “outstanding performance” towards promoting SSC in Tianjin in 2008

5. An overview of SSC under the UN Framework in China • Since 1979, China has implemented more than 100 project with elements of SSC with the cooperation of UNDP. In its first 4 phases, the total project amount exceeded 11.1million dollars, covering a wide range of areas of China’s social and economic development. • With the assistance of UNDP, China established more than 20 institutes with special know-how and technologies, such as the International Center of Small Hydro Power, etc. Based on self-willingness and organized by CICETE, they jointly established the China South-South Cooperation Network, which has more than 30 members, and is unique in the world. • Participated in UNDP sponsored regional projects, such as the Tumen River Area Development Programme, the New Silk Road project and the Lancang-Mekong River project ( Cross Border Economic Cooperation project between China and Vietnam). • A new series of SSC promotional projects, including a series of highlight projects, such as the SS-Gate project, the China-African Business Council program, etc.

6. China’s Participation in SSC under UN framework (Current)

7. Our Solutions and case studies

8. Ongoing projects and successful cases • China South-South Cooperation Network • SS-Gate • Regional cooperation project • ……….

9. China SSC Network • In 1995, under the support of UNDP and CICETE, China SSC Network, constituted of 21 centers of excellence, was established. • It focuses on the fields of new energy and sustainable development, such as small hydropower, solar energy, biogas and new use of plants (such as bamboo, jutes and vegetable breeding) • Its secretariat is located in CICETE

10. China SSC Network • It is a possible new way for SME’s to participate in the SSC as the traditional government-led foreign assistance are generally affected holding a high threshold. • It is a benign cycle as those members are recipients themselves before, and now they are trying to help others

11. China SSC Network • All the members have a strong sense of social responsibility. • It is an open network that advocates PPP and triangular cooperation. • It keeps innovation in mind during networking and business.

12. China SSC Network • It organizes annual meetings and activities, such as workshops, expos and also help members to formulate small grant projects. • It is a replicable modality that could reduce duplication in UN assistance as most UN residential offices are doing roughly the same thing. Why not establish such networks and encourage peer learning?

13. SS-Gate project: a new trial in sustainable SSC • SS-Gate project is a trial project initiated by SU/SSC, CICETE and SUAEE. The project has an initial funding of only 323000 dollars. • It aims at promoting sustainable SSC via the introduction of a market mechanism into the traditional SSC. It plans to build SS-Gate into an international technology and equity exchange platform with professional consultancy services in finance, law, climate change, carbon dioxides emission trade , technology exchange and many other areas. • The project is executed by CICETE and implemented by SUAEE and SS-GATE

14. SS-Gate project: achievements • Established SS-Gate (SUAEE investing 50 million RMB and Yangpu District Government provides free premises) • Established 26 workstations in 24 developing countries and signed 17 MOUs • Organized nearly 20 trainings in the past 2 years for the workstations in the fields of proposal information collection, screening and matching • Designed bilingual websites and transaction software • 1450 proposals have been listed and 84 successful deals have been made, reaching a transaction volume of 264 million dollars, with 78% of the transactions related to the developing countries (according to statistics of SS-Gate) • Praised by the UN General Assembly as “ a pioneering multi-lateral mechanism” • Awarded by SU/SSC for “visionary architect” in SSC

15. Successful cases: Straw bricks • Sichuan Xinghe Company, via SS-Gate, has transferred its technology to many African countries. The technology uses wasted barks, straws, stalks, and other solid wastes to make building materials, which is environment-friendly, cheap and safe. • The company has founded 7 factories in Ethiopia, employing 10,000 local workers, promoting the economic growth, environment protection and employment at the same time. • The company signed MOUs with Ethiopia to establish a Sino-Ethiopia Industrial Park there • It was awarded by SU/SSC for its great contribution to human by technology transfer

16. Successful cases: Rice Husks • The transfer of Thailand Rice Husk Board Technology brought to Vietnam. • The technology utilizes processed agricultural waste as the input of construction boards, which is fire resistant, waterproof, sound proof and most importantly, low cost. It helps boost employment and reduces environmental wastes.

17. Successful Cases: Green Jute • A new breed of Jute has been invented by a Chinese company. With its breakthrough in technologies, such jutes could be grown in alkali soils, low-level wetlands and even very dry soils and made into “non-itching fibers” • It has signed agreements with Songhai Center in Bennin to grow this kind of jute and establish an industrial park there, encouraging inclusive growth that combines economic growth, employment and environment protection.

18. Other regional cooperation projects…. • CICETE has also initiated some regional cooperation projects, such as the TRADP (Tumen River Area Development Program), the New Silk Road Program and the China Vietnam Cross Border Economic Cooperation Zone Project…….. • All of them have established a coordination mechanism • All facilitated millions of dollars of investments (both public and private) into the local area, promoted the development of the minority areas of China, lifting the local living standards and strengthening the cooperation between China and its neighboring countries • Due to time limitation, I would not talk on…….

19. Thanks 