The Husab uranium mine in Namibia is hailed as a major strategic project under the BRI. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The reliable and stable supply of nuclear fuel is crucial for the development of nuclear power companies like China General Nuclear Power Corporation.

The enterprise with global influence is seeking collaboration with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The group, also known as CGN, has put together agreements in most uranium-producing countries, including BRI-involved countries Namibia and Kazakhstan.

CGN will engage extensively in global climate governance and contribute to the transformation of energy structures seeking collaboration in domains including nuclear energy, nuclear fuel and renewable energy

Yang Changli, CGN chairman

Its investment in the Husab uranium mine in Namibia is widely regarded as a model of cooperation and valued between the two countries as a major strategic project of the BRI.

According to group data, CGN's massive investment in the project was equal to nearly half of Namibia's annual gross domestic product. Upon the project's commencement, it directly contributed to an 8 percent rise in Namibia's GDP and a 20 percent boost in exports.

In 2022, CGN Swakop Uranium, a subsidiary of the group that manages the Husab mine, contributed a total of 4.1 billion Namibian dollars ($215.6 million) to the local economy. It meanwhile served as a major taxpayer in the African country, supporting its financial growth.

The data also indicated that out of the total contribution, more than 3.5 billion Namibian dollars were allocated toward local procurement. This accounted for 55 percent of the overall procurement amount by the uranium subsidiary in 2022.

To support the growth of local small and medium-sized enterprises in operational services, CGN Swakop has adopted open bidding and invited as many capable local companies as possible to participate in the tender.

Currently, more than 70 percent of the contract amount for bidding in the Husab project has been awarded to local Namibian enterprises.

It has been one of the effective measures taken by CGN Swakop to promote win-win cooperation through local development. As of now, approximately 96 percent of the company's permanent employees, totaling around 1,700, are locals. The investment has created tens of thousands of jobs.

CGN's cooperation with Kazakhstan, the world's largest producer of natural uranium, also showcases a win-win result. It has collaborated with Kazatomprom, the national atomic company of Kazakhstan, in various aspects of the nuclear fuel industry chain, including natural uranium trade, uranium mining development, and fuel rod and component processing over the past 15 years.

Yang Changli, chairman of CGN, said that as a global company, CGN should play a crucial role in collaborative development of the BRI, upholding the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

"CGN will engage extensively in global climate governance and contribute to the transformation of energy structures, seeking collaboration in domains including nuclear energy, nuclear fuel and renewable energy," Yang said.

By building equal, open and cooperative global partnerships, he said the BRI will keep contributing to the economic development and improvement of people's livelihoods in the countries and regions involved.