Lassana Fati, Director-General of Foreign Trade at Guinea-Bissau's Ministry of Trade and Industry, signed an opinion piece in the newspaper O Democrata. In the article, he states that on 1 May 2026, China will apply a policy of total tariff exemption to 53 African countries. This not only represents a major economic and commercial opportunity for African countries, but is also a pragmatic measure by China to support the improvement of living conditions, poverty reduction, revitalisation and acceleration of development in Africa. 

He points out that agriculture is the pillar of Guinea-Bissau's economy. For a long time, limited market access and difficulties in export channels have been significant bottlenecks for the development of farmers and businesses. China's unilateral implementation of zero tariffs allows the Chinese market to respond precisely to Guinea-Bissau's development needs, with high strategic content and a strong catalytic effect to attract investment and boost the economy.

The country's foreign trade columnist also assures that Guinea-Bissau is willing to walk side by side with China, deepening economic and trade co-operation, sharing development opportunities and jointly writing a new chapter in the friendship and co-operation between China and Guinea-Bissau.

(Source: O Democrata, 1 March)