Kenyan traders eye deals in Guangzhou as China’s Spring Canton Fair Resumes In-Person Expo

By Victor MUJIDU

A host of Kenyan entrepreneurs will attend the 133^rd Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China slated for April 15 to May 5 – in what promises to strengthen trade ties between the two nations.

About 68 Kenyans have since confirmed their participation at the forum being held physically for the first time since the onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic.

China was forced to hold previous Canton Fair activities virtually in its past six conferences.

The 133^rd Canton Fair is expected to expand the exhibition area by 300,000 square meters, creating a room for more exhibitors.

“This year, the Canton Fair will leverage its newly-built venue, expanding the total exhibition area by 300,000 square meters to a record-breaking 1.5 million square meters,” reads part of the statement of the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, Shu Jueting.

Marketing campaigns have been intensified for this year’s Canton Fair to attract more domestic and overseas buyers.

Over 40 “Trade Bridge” matchmaking activities will be organized to support enterprises to secure orders and grow markets.

Kenya-China trade trajectories have heightened in recent years, creating a formidable and conducive business environment for traders between the two countries.

As one of the most industrialized countries globally, China sought to have grown economically and hence attracting many foreign countries to mutual trading.

Being a lucrative fair, Kenya is expecting to gain more comprehensive advantages from China while bridging the trade gap between the two countries.

“This fair is one way to open the two country’s markets for opportunities towards closing the gap between the two countries. It is an opportunity for networking and creating trust between traders and also serves to better their lives as products are cheap at the manufacturer,” said Eva Ruth Nganga, the Varet Product director.

Most Kenyan entrepreneurs seek business ties with China, claiming that China has great manpower and is much more industrialized than Kenya.

Ms. Ruth however challenged the government to lower the cost of products to create coherent one-way traffic to local manufacturers to boost the economy.

However, the Kenya Investment Authority General Manager, Pius Rotich has attributed Kenya to being a diplomatic and business center for innovation in the Sub-Saharan region.

“Kenya is the hub of business for the Sub-Sahara region. We have created an enabling environment for business and investment and we look forward to duplicating the Chinese success in manufacturing here at home through partnerships,” said Mr. Rotich.

The Canton Fair is the pinnacle of international trade events, boasting an impressive history and staggering scale.

Exhibiting a vast array of products, it attracts buyers from all over the world and has generated immense business dealings in China.

54 specialized exhibition sections will be set up, hosting more than 30,000 exhibitors onsite, including more than 5,000 high-quality enterprises such as manufacturing single champions and national high-tech enterprises.

Meanwhile, all qualified exhibitors can participate in the Canton Fair online to enable more companies to participate with the number of exhibitors participating online expected to exceed 35,000.

The Canton Fair is an important window for China’s opening up and a premium platform of foreign trade, serving as a critical channel for Chinese companies to develop the international market.

The China Import and Export Fair, well known as Canton Fair, has been held biannually in Guangzhou every spring and autumn since 1957.