A 1984 accord, ratified in 1985, established a trade framework favoring 43 Ivorian exports to China.
A commercial agreement signed in December 1984 between Ivory Coast and China, and later ratified by President Félix Houphouët-Boigny in September 1985, created a specific trade exchange. The pact allowed for 21 Chinese products, including rice, agricultural machinery, and textiles, to enter Ivory Coast. In return, 43 Ivorian products were designated for export to China.
The Ivorian exports covered a range of goods such as cocoa, coffee, fruits, and manufactured products. At the time of the agreement, the Most Favored Nation treatment was applied, with specific exceptions for neighboring countries and customs unions. This established a structured flow of goods between the two nations.
This commercial arrangement aimed to foster economic ties by clearly defining the goods that could be traded. The inclusion of agricultural products like cocoa and coffee, alongside manufactured items, highlighted the diverse economic relationship envisioned by the accord.
Why it mattersIvory Coast farmers are affected by the inclusion of cocoa, coffee, and fruits among the 43 products designated for export to China.
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