For this column, The Ethiopian Herald had sat down with Qiao Liang with a view to having his personal and professional life. He has been the CEO of ZTE (H.K) Limited Ethiopian since 2017. Earlier than he came to Ethiopia, he had worked in five countries. Excerpts:
What is your take on Ethiopia? How much do you know about the country?
To begin with, the history of Ethiopia goes 3000 years back. Ethiopia is the second densely inhabited country in the continent of Africa and the home of a wide spectrum of Nations and Nationalities with spectacular cultures, traditions and norms. Above and beyond, Ethiopia is the cradle of mankind and a country that has never been colonized. It as well is famed for its bountiful natural resources, eye-catching landscapes, highlands, fauna and flora, wildlife, medieval castles, among others. Ethiopians are also cordial.
Likewise, Ethiopia is known for its unique calendar which possesses thirteen months. In the same way, I feel affection for the weather conditions of the country comprising summer, autumn, spring and winter. In addition I adore the costumes and the coffee ceremony of the various Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia.
What is all about ZTE Company?
ZTE is Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and Systems Company headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong and China. ZTE Corporation is a global leader in telecommunications and information technology. ZTE serves telecommunication network operators throughout the world. Founded in 1985 and listed on both Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges, the company has been committed to providing global operators and enterprise network clients with innovative technologies and solutions. This has allowed it to increase connectivity and productivity. Similarly, it is one of the leading telecom equipment manufacturers.
Down the road what do you envisage?
The company will be committed to becoming a pioneer in telecommunication industry. In this regard, it aims at taking the lead in standardization, technical perspective & commercialization and driving innovations in telecommunications and ICT globally. All the more so, as the business and technology needs the industry continues to evolve.
If there can be platforms, where all can come together and discuss on how we can work together, we can better Tele and ICT.
What contributions have you made pertaining to social responsibilities?
ZTE has been involved in different
CSR’s in Ethiopia. ZTE actively integrates into the local culture and undertakes social responsibilities. During these 18 years the company has been insisting to the correct concept of righteousness, promoting localization, rewarding the Ethiopia Empowerment actively and promoting Education and Infrastructure in Ethiopia.
To mention some of the activities, ZTE has provided scholarships of worth 20 Million US Dollars in the field of technical innovation & incentives. Since 2012, every day, 30 public welfare lunches have been provided to nursing homes and poor students.
ZTE has also supported in completing more than 11,000 free social trainings and trained a large number of local communication talents and has built a school outside Addis. ZTE takes this part seriously and tries to do the best it can on CSR’s.
How do you assess Ethiopian investment atmosphere in comparison with that of other African countries?
Ethiopia is becoming hope for most Africa and it is taking the lead. In the course of the past decade, Ethiopia’s rise has been largely driven by industrial activities, which includes investment. Ethiopia is attractive for foreign investment. Recently it has also opened possibility to invest in the Ethio-telecom and Ethiopian airlines.
What values does ZTE add to Ethiopia’s development?
In addition to telecommunications, ZTE
has made great contributions to the digitization of Ethiopia, and has
cooperated with various industries and government agencies in the fields of
Education, Electricity, Industrial Parks, Digital Government and
Transportation.
What works do you do to maintain global competitiveness?
ZTE’s Innovations Spirit makes it one of the most competitive brands globally. And Beijing R &D Center sharpens the competitive edges of ZTE. We innovate and try to come up with new findings where quality stays our core value. As people demand a broad variety of services, greater emphasis is put on large capacity and long distance transmission.
ZTE commits 10 percent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standards-setting organizations. ZTE continues to expand its service portfolio. And in regards or the core of our competiveness we have established the world’s most diligent engineering service teams.
With strong service consciousness, every member of this team works hard to fulfill the company’s commitment to its customers. We also have continually improved our project management abilities. We have enhanced our ability to concentrate resources thanks to project-based marketing practice. In an integrated project management process, projects are carried out in sequence so that our resources can be concentrated. Those projects at the top of the sequence list are guaranteed resources not only for project delivery, but also for logistics, R & D and finance.
This is very important for us to win a competitive advantage in the market place. Moreover we strengthen our study of service ability, and make our equipment easier and less expensive to install and maintain. We also need to improve professional techniques including those relating to documentation. Under the new organizational structure, we will focus on key projects and continue to expand our service abilities.
Does ZTE have similar engagements in Africa?
There are countries that are seen as strategic partners, with some of which we work closely.
On July 26thZTE (H.K) had held its 6th annual tree planting in Gulele Sub-city. What inspired you to engage in this lofty task?
Since 2013, we have transplanted 2,000 tree seedlings in the same area cognizant that green environment is decisive to environmental development and health. We had engaged in similar events 6 times. We were successful .Most of the saplings have grown in to trees. With its august presence the past 2 years, Ethio telecom had graced the events. ZTE places focal attention on Company’s social responsibilities. We discharge such responsibilities to the best of our abilities.
What are the commonalities of the culture of Ethiopia and China?
There aren’t much of common cultures between the two countries but there are few commonalities like the mass rituals that both countries have.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition August4/ 2019
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
