Sharing the secrets of success

Kenya is eager and committed to learning from the economic reforms that have transformed China from a poor nation into the world's second-largest economy within a period of 30 years.

To that end, Kenyan civil servants from various ministries have been attending annual training programs in China, aimed at learning about the country's economic development as well as improving their skills and competence.

According to Simon Angote, director of Human Resource Development in the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, China has contributed immensely to the development of Kenya's human resources, especially through short-term courses and seminars.

Angote says his ministry approached the economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese embassy in Kenya in 2011 to discuss cooperation on capacity building, aimed at learning how China had transformed its economy. From the discussion, the decision was made that Kenyan civil servants would be sponsored by the Chinese government for bilateral trade seminars and training.

"We see this kind of relationship as an initiative for promoting international understanding, because we will learn more about Chinese policies that were employed in growing its economy and we can apply the same," he says.

In its Vision 2030, the national long-term development blueprint, Kenya aims to transform itself into an industrialized, middle-income country, providing a high quality of life in a clean and secure environment to all its citizens by 2030.

Angote says ties between China and Kenya are based on sound values and shared aspirations and have brought people from both sides together.

He spoke during the farewell reception for 25 professionals from Kenya's public sector who are going to China for capacity building.

The civil servants who will benefit from the China-funded skills development program were drawn from the Ministry of Agriculture, public service, trade, health and information and communication technology.

Noting that time management was one of the aspects that helped China to grow, he challenged the beneficiaries of the China-sponsored training program to be strict with their timekeeping during their 21 days in China.

Guo Ce, economic and commercial counsellor in the Chinese embassy in Kenya, says China will continue helping Kenya in capacity building and personnel training.

"After the training, participants will have a better understanding of China, its policies, economy, culture, technology and people. They will also be able to build Kenya into a prosperous, rich and democratic country," he says.

China runs different kinds of research and training programs for developing countries. From 2011 to 2016, it received 140,000 trainees from developing countries.

In 2015, 740 Kenyans were invited to China to attend seminars in various sectors. This was the highest number historically, ranking fourth worldwide and second among African countries.

In 2016, 540 Kenyan officials and technicians were invited to China for capacity building.

"Every year, about 30 Kenyan applicants benefit from Chinese Ministry of Commerce scholarships," says Guo.

The ministry's scholarships are set to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries, as well as develop talents for developing nations.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 05/05/2017 page27)