Fair aimed at forging links between entrepreneurs

Nairobi will play host to a trade fair aimed at bringing together more Kenyan and Chinese entrepreneurs and breaking down long-standing trade barriers, the event organizers said.

China Trade Week, from July 1 to 3, will focus on market concerns that have affected trade between the two countries, such as quality and credibility.

"This is the perfect opportunity for Chinese manufactures to engage directly with Kenyan entrepreneurs and the region's business community, to build partnerships and to tackle the misconceptions and mistrust that has built up over the years," David Wang, managing director of MIE Events, says.

There has been a growing concern that Chinese products are of low quality, and that the business community is not to be trusted, he explains, adding that complaints abound that goods delivered are contrary to orders placed by African traders, especially those made using the Internet.

"We're bringing them (Chinese) over to create cohesion between entrepreneurs," Wang says.

An estimated 150 Chinese businesspeople are expected to attend the Nairobi fair.

This announcement of the event comes in the wake of increased trade activities between China and Kenya that continue to influence bilateral relations.

In the past decade, China has become Kenya's largest source of foreign direct investment and second-largest trading partner. In 2013, it was estimated China's cumulative direct investment in Kenya had reached $474 million. That year, the bilateral trade volume was $8.4 billion.

The fair is set to bring together Chinese and Kenyan companies from various industrial sectors, including construction, consumer electronics, electric vehicles, plastic molding, home appliances, and green energy.

Gary Robinson, international director of MIE Events, says the company aims to provide a conducive environment for stronger ties between Chinese companies and the African business community, which is looking to source products and services from China.

"China Trade Week signifies the start of what could be a major milestone between East Africa and China," he says. "We want to link businesses with their counterparts in various parts of China and open up even more opportunities for local people."

He says the exhibition will feature a series of practical and highly informative workshops on the new business practices in China.

"This will address misgivings local entrepreneurs harbor against Chinese businesses, and encourage them to engage during the event in a more amiable level," Robinson says.

Entry to the event will be free, as "we believe interaction with Chinese products will create the necessary impetus for more Kenyans to venture into business", he adds.

MIE, which is based in Dubai, plans to hold similar events in other parts of Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana and Tunisia.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 06/05/2015 page3)