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 August 19, 2023, to discuss potential 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.

Since the 1950s, our company has been exporting agricultural tools to Africa. Our three flagship trademarks—“Rooster,” “Diamond,” and “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 established 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. Most 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, involving procurement, installation, and comprehensive system testing.

In May 2023, I traveled to Uganda to carry out an overseas mission, taking charge of the daily operations of Tianjin Machinery Uganda Company. This involved visiting local customers, engaging in face-to-face communication with them, and developing tailored marketing strategies and product improvement initiatives. The goal was to strengthen and expand our agricultural equipment products' market presence and sales volume in Africa. 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 can maintain regular contact with all key clients, actively gathering their feedback and suggestions. This will provide valuable insights that help us enhance our service quality and product excellence. Given the seasonal nature of Uganda’s agricultural equipment market—where sales typically experience peaks during certain times of the year—we recommend that the resident staff commit to at least one year of continuous on-site work. Therefore, we kindly request approval for an extension of the current assignment in Uganda, along with authorization for multiple entries into the country throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the Zambia King's Hospital project has entered its implementation phase. Starting in the second half of 2023, the general contractor has stepped up procurement efforts, with the first batch of installation and commissioning work expected to begin in September or October. To address staffing challenges during project execution, we are applying for an extension of our travel authorization to continue visiting Zambia, as well as multiple-entry permits valid throughout the 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 current-year budget for temporary official overseas (or border-crossing) travel expenses, totaling approximately RMB 280,572.80.
 

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)

July 31, 2023

Tianjin Machinery Import & Export Co., Ltd.

Comrade Li Dongming's Itinerary to Uganda and Zambia

2022 July 31