To strengthen and expand our business presence in the African market, after careful consideration, we have decided to send Li Dongming from Tianjin Machinery Import & Export Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of our group, to Uganda and Zambia on September 30, 2024, to discuss business opportunities. He is expected to stay abroad for 365 days, during which he will apply for a one-year multiple-entry visa, allowing multiple entries into both Uganda and Zambia.
Our company has been exporting agricultural tools to Africa since the 1950s. The company’s three flagship trademarks—“Rooster,” “Diamond,” and “Flying Swallow”—have been recognized as “Famous Trademarks of Tianjin City,” “Well-known International Brands of Tianjin,” and “Key Export Brands Being Cultivated and Developed in Tianjin.” These renowned brands have helped our agricultural tool products enjoy strong sales across the African continent, generating annual export revenues exceeding tens of millions of U.S. dollars and contributing significantly to our company’s robust economic performance. In 1995, aligned with our strategic expansion plan, we took a further step by establishing a subsidiary in Uganda—the Tianjin Machinery Uganda Company—which now operates a warehouse-style business model locally. Beyond agricultural tools, we’ve deepened our presence in the African market. Notably, in October 2021, we successfully won the bid for the medical equipment supply project at Zambia’s King’s Hospital. The project officially kicked off in 2023, but due to ongoing site-specific progress challenges, our company initiated procurement, installation, and commissioning activities starting in 2024.
In May 2023, I traveled to Uganda to carry out an overseas assignment, overseeing the daily operations of Tianjin Machinery Uganda Company. This involved visiting local customers, engaging in face-to-face communication, and developing tailored marketing strategies and product improvement initiatives. The goal was to strengthen and expand our agricultural equipment products' presence and market share in the African region. The mission has now been successfully completed. However, due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, Uganda Company has long faced challenges related to staffing shortages. To ensure the smooth operation of the company’s business, it is now essential to recruit additional resident staff who will not only manage day-to-day activities but also proactively visit all key clients, gathering valuable feedback and insights directly from them. This firsthand information will be crucial for enhancing our service quality and refining product offerings. Given the seasonal nature of Uganda’s agricultural equipment sales—experiencing distinct peak and off-peak periods—it is vital that the resident staff commit to at least one year of continuous on-site work. Therefore, we are applying for approval to extend the current assignment in Uganda, allowing the team to make multiple return trips throughout the year as needed to support the company’s operations effectively.
Meanwhile, the Zambia King's Hospital project has entered its implementation phase. Procurement activities began in 2024, and the first team of personnel is expected to start installation and commissioning work in September or October. To address the staffing challenges during project execution, we are applying for continued travel authorization to Zambia, as well as multiple-entry permits valid for one year.
The expenses related to the delegation members will be borne by Tianjin Machinery Import & Export Co., Ltd., and have already been included in the company’s annual budget for temporary official overseas (or border-crossing) travel expenses. The funding will come from the company’s internal budget, with approximately [amount] allocated per person.
Details of the visiting delegation:
Li Dongming, Male, Born September 21, 1986
Tianjin Machinery Import & Export Co., Ltd. Deputy Manager of the Department (Team Leader)

September 9, 2024
 

Tianjin Machinery Import & Export Co., Ltd.

Comrade Li Dongming's Itinerary to Uganda and Zambia

2024 September 9