Kenya and China eye September expo to boost trade

By Isaac OGANGA

Kenya will play host to the sixth International Industrial Expo (KIIE) slated for September 21, with the three-day forum expected to provide local firms with business opportunities from their Chinese counterparts.

“This expo seeks to connect local enterprises to the best technological growth from China. In a bid to support the government’s initiative and promote more exports from Kenya, we are introducing another name to the Expo called Kenya Import & Export Fair.

This is a new model aimed at promoting the Kenya-China import and export sector, aiming to connect buyers and suppliers from the two countries in areas like consumer goods, agricultural sector and mining sector,” said Gao Wei, Managing Director of Afripeak Expo Kenya ltd.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data shows that bilateral trade between Kenya and China has increased by 25 percent by the end of last year and currently stands at USD 5.3 billion.

Over the last decade, the Kenyan Investment Authority (KenInvest) has registered and facilitated 313 Chinese investment projects with a total value of USD 1.55 billion.

This shows that China has helped create employment for the locals and this expo stamps the bilateral trade ties that these two great countries share.

According to Pius Rotich-General Manager, Ken Invest, “One of the highlights of this year’s Expo is the participation of four delegations from China, representing Shandong, Jiangxi, Henan, and Zhejiang provinces.

Their presence will underscore the growing trade ties between Kenya and China, and we anticipate fruitful discussions and partnerships emerging from their participation.”

Kenya and China signed six trade agreements last year and promised to form a joint working group to address trade barriers between the two countries to reduce trade imbalances.

The two countries have agreed to collaborate on Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to boost digital economy in Kenya, continue in the development of regional transport for economic hub on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and creating market of Kenyan agricultural products.

In the talks, Kenya seeks to export avocado and aquatic products while China intends to continue donating rice to the East African country to assist in humanitarian aid.