On June 25, at a delivery ceremony at the Madagascar Expo Center in Antananarivo, BAIC Group officially handed over the keys for 312 buses to Madagascar President, marking the completion of the single largest order of Chinese-branded buses delivered in Africa.
Following the ceremony, the buses debuted in Madagascar’s National Day celebrations, earning high praise from Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar. He commended the high quality of BAIC’s vehicles and expressed gratitude to the Beijing enterprise for improving local infrastructure and public services. In August this year, BAIC buses will serve the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Madagascar, showcasing the strength of “Smart Manufacturing of China” to attending dignitaries.
The fruitful partnership between BAIC and Madagascar traces back to the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, when President Rajoelina toured BAIC Group, expressing strong interest in the outstanding performance of BAIC’s new energy buses and reaching a preliminary agreement on cooperation. Then, BAIC proactively followed up by dispatching expert teams to Madagascar for in-depth research. To adapt to local climate and road conditions, the group equipped its buses with smart temperature-control systems and corrosion-resistant body technology, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and passenger comfort. Furthermore, BAIC has stationed 10 senior experts in Madagascar to provide full lifecycle maintenance while cultivating a team of local technicians.
In recent years, capitalizing on major state events hosted in the city, Beijing has organized tailored visits themed on economy, trade, and culture for international delegates. Such activities directly connect foreign dignitaries with local enterprises, supporting companies in their global expansion. Moving forward, the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office will continue leveraging major state events to coordinate relevant parties, streamline communication channels, and facilitate practical economic cooperation, contributing to the capital’s high-quality development.