Officials unveil the nameplate of Nantong's B&R overseas workstation in Madagascar on Dec 18. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province unveiled its Belt and Road overseas workstation in Madagascar on Dec 18.

The city's foreign affairs office has been working with the Association of Nantong Merchants Abroad to establish B&R overseas workstations since 2018. The workstations are meant to strengthen ties with overseas Nantong businesspeople and provide them with timely support.

A total of 31 workstations have been set up around South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Madagascar is the largest island in Africa and forth largest in the world. A number of Nantong entrepreneurs are currently doing business in the country, and are mainly involved in mining, construction, home textiles, and electromechanical equipment.

Chinese entrepreneurs in the country have also been proactive in promoting cooperation between China and Madagascar and taking part in local charity programs.

Since the launch of reform and opening-up in 1978, a total of 100,000 Nantong entrepreneurs have done business abroad.

As early as the 1980s, some Nantong businesspeople had already started exploring markets on the African continent.