Kenyan county rolls out red carpet for Chinese investors

Wavinya Ndeti, governor of Machakos County in Kenya, has called on Chinese companies to invest in the county, assuring them that her government has created a conducive investment environment.

"I have employed a deliberate strategy to attract and retain investors in Machakos County. Your decision to invest in the county is a clear testimony that there are numerous business opportunities," she said.

At the opening ceremony of the Kenya-China Building Materials Exhibition in the county's Athi River town, Ndeti said the county government is progressively designing and implementing policies to attract and boost investor confidence.

The county government's determination to attract investors is in line with the national government's agenda to accelerate economic development, she said.

Zhang Yijun, minister counselor of the Chinese embassy in Nairobi, expressed gratitude to Machakos County government for supporting Chinese companies.

Noting that this year marks 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya, Zhang said ties between the two countries will continue to create synergies for their development to benefit their citizens further.

Zhao Long, governor of Fujian province, said he was deeply impressed by Machakos County's efforts to attract investments, noting the county is at a strategic stage of development.

"I will introduce Machakos County to Fujian companies when I go back so that we can explore common development together," he said.

"We wish to bring the best construction products, leading architect technologies and best smart home appliances to Kenya from Fujian and China at large to meet the local demand."

Daniel Aduka, national sales manager of Jomoo Group in Quanzhou, Fujian, said during the exhibition that the company hopes to sign deals with contractors who are their target customers.

Elecstima Ongaga, manager of Kaluworks Limited, a cookware manufacturer in Kenya, hoped the expo could be extended to three weeks so that people can familiarize themselves with the expo host, Coloho Mall, the largest home decor shopping mall in Kenya.