- The steel and metal sector is also a major consumer of the company’s products.
- The Chinese market is also among the targets for Kenya’s tourism growth
China remains Kenya’s biggest import source with the country importing goods worth Sh452.6 billion last year, up from Sh441.4bn in 2021, according to Kenya Economic Survey 2023.
Kenya imports mostly electronics, electrical equipment, mobile phones, large construction vehicles, steel products, clothes and other fast-moving goods from the factories of the world.
On the other hand, the country exports titanium ore, niobium, tantalum, vanadium and zirconium ore, iron ore, tea, leather, sisal fibre, fish and scrap metal, among others.
Jason Hsu flew about 7,889 kilometres from China to Kenya to attend this year’s China Trade Week (CTW) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.
During our interview with Hsu, we learnt that it was actually the second time the sales manager at Guangzhou City GSAN Science and Technology Company was exhibiting at the CTW, now on its eighth edition.
The company deals in computers, point of sale equipment and systems among other products.
According to Hsu, Kenya is among the biggest markets the company is eying in its growth into Africa.
“We are seeing a huge demand in the Kenyan market and we intend to cement our position in this market,” Hsu said during our interview.
Juliet Zheng, export manager at Hebei Sanfeng Abrasives Company Limited is also positive about the Kenyan market, where the company has for the past two weeks pitched a tent seeking to connect with local businesses and companies.
The company which mainly deals in cutting and grinding wheels mainly targets the construction sector, which is among the key drivers of the country’s economy.
The steel and metal sector is also a major consumer of the company’s products.
“The Kenyan market is big. While we are introducing products for the first time, we are very positive going by the already existing strong relationship with Kenya,” Zheng said.
The two were among over 44 exhibitors at this year’s China Trade Week with the annual event proving to be a major catalyst for business-to-business, business-to-consumer and business-to-government engagements.
This is with an expanded portfolio which includes the Africa Build Show, Africa Food Show, Africa Technology Show, Africa Security Show, and the Africa eDigital Connect Summit.
The event witnessed the convergence of global industry leaders, diplomats, and entrepreneurs for three days of impactful discussions and strategic collaborations.
According to Edwin Masivo, GEx Country Director for Kenya, the country is a strategic gateway for trade and investment in East Africa.
“CTW has been a game-changer. There are incredible opportunities in construction, agriculture, food, and technology,” Masivo noted.
Zahoor Ahmed, vice president of strategy and partnerships at MIE Groups said: “MIE Group remains dedicated as a driver of Foreign Direct Investments from source markets in Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council with a focus on Africa.”
The Chinese market is also among the targets for Kenya’s tourism growth, according to Tourism PS John Ololtuaa.
The Nairobi event witnessed the signing of significant MOUs, including Fashion & Beauty Africa (FAB Africa) and Hey Babe: An MOU was signed to bring the FABHey Babe Festival to Kenya next year, promising an exciting fusion of fashion and beauty.
A strategic partnership was solidified to enhance collaboration between CTW and the Nairobi chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce. KNCCI was represented by the Nairobi Chapter chairman James Mwaura.
Another MOU was inked with Amanbo, a leading e-commerce platform connecting Kenyan businesses with Chinese suppliers and buyers.
This partnership aims to facilitate smoother trade relations and open new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
While KNCCI has a close working relationship with the Chinese business community, it has been keen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenya China Chamber of Commerce as a form of creating market linkages between Kenyan businesses and Chinese businesses.
The areas of collaboration between the two organizations, according to KNCCI, will include the setting up of textile industries in Athi River and Kilifi County to promote the growth of the industry and investments in infrastructure and skills development.
“The Kenya China Chamber of Commerce has a pavilion in Guangzhou that can be used by Kenyan companies for marketing products and access to the Chinese market. The pavilion will also be key in the organising of outgoing exhibitions,” KNCCI notes.
During a Kenya-China Investors’ Roundtable in Beijing, China, on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in October, President William Ruto urged Chinese businesspeople to invest in projects that will expedite the realisation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda in Kenya.
He asked the investors to explore opportunities that will facilitate growth in agriculture and agro-industrial manufacturing, the micro, small and medium-sized enterprise sector, affordable housing, universal healthcare, the digital superhighway and the creative economy.
The Government, he added, is implementing a diversified investment model consisting of county aggregation industrial parks to unlock the vast industrial potential at the grassroots throughout the country.
“I encourage you to pay close attention to these diverse investment opportunities and move quickly to take advantage of them,” he said.
Last year, Kenya and China signed six agreements among them in ICT and continued development of regional transport for an economic hub on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and creating a market for Kenyan agricultural products.