New forum to smooth Sino-Kenya interaction

Chamber of Commerce will provide a meeting point for communities to help each other and thrash out difficulties

Members of the Chinese business community in Kenya will now be able to voice their concerns and find help in solving problems, thanks to the recently-launched Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber intends to regularly invite related institutions and Kenyan communities to discuss difficulties, set up cooperation platforms to meet the requirements of the Chinese businesses, expand cooperation channels and prevent investment risks.

It will give advice on maintaining a good image in Kenya and shouldering social responsibilities.

Han Jun, chairman of China Chamber of Commerce in East Africa, says the establishment of the Kenya branch is in line with the requirements of Chinese and Kenyan economic development and in line with the wishes of Chinese business people in the country.

Through the chamber, he says the Chinese and Kenyans will begin a new chapter in the modernization of the East African country.

Han says the Chamber of Commerce in East Africa will continue to contribute to the economic and cultural development of the two countries.

"We wish to give full rein to domestic and overseas Chinese from all walks of life to contribute to China's economic construction and the promotion of Africa's economic construction, and actively implement the strategy of 'going global'."

Zhuo Wu, chairman of Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, says the main goal of the organization is to establish a platform for all the Chinese in Kenya to exchange information with local communities and better serve the country.

"Most of us have invested and lived here, share experience here and are willing to be part of this country. We are here to do business and create job opportunities," he says.

Zhuo says the chamber is a new chapter for Chinese people working in Kenya and will further the modernization process.

Before the opening ceremony, the chamber offered help to farmers in Machakos County to sell mangos and donated food to people affected by drought in Makueni County.

Jacky Liu of Orient Pearl Ltd, a Chinese company operating in Kenya, says the chamber will give Chinese investors in Kenya a platform to understand the country better and allow them to pursue social work to help Kenyans.

"The chamber will bring Chinese companies together and help them to have a more intimate relationship with the local companies and investors," he says.

According to Yang Ming, counselor from the Chinese embassy in Kenya, relations between the two countries have kept up a strong momentum, especially since President Uhuru Kenyatta visited China in 2013 and reached a consensus with Chinese President Xi Jinping, paving a path for the development of the Sino-Kenyan ties.

"Exchanges between the two countries are growing. The relationship has reached its best time, bringing benefits to the people of both countries," he says.

Since the Beijing Summit in 2006, Han says Kenya has become a bright spot of China-Africa cooperation.

A great number of projects, including the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, road projects like the Thika Road, airport projects and direct flights by China Southern Airlines, have attracted public attention in both China and Africa.

"Kenya has become an important direction and foothold in East Africa for China's Belt and Road initiative and the national strategy of 'going global'," he says.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 03/31/2017 page27)