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Kenya seeks more business co-operation with China

By Chen Qide (China Daily Shanghai Bureau)
Updated: 2010-09-10 17:00

Kenya held a business forum in Shanghai Friday to seek more business cooperation with China.

"The forum is aimed at giving entrepreneurs of the two countries an opportunity to collaborate in business," said Kenya Trade Minister Chirau Ali Makwere.

Makwere led a delegation of more than 70 Kenyan enterprises to the forum as part of the activities lined up to celebrate the Kenya National Day.

These enterprises are involved in both public and private sectors in the fields of tea, coffee, services, education, construction, tourism, horticulture, fish, chemical products and environmental protection, he said.

Kenya, situated on the East African Coast along the Indian Ocean, is the largest economy in Eastern Africa with comparative advantages including a well-educated labour force, a vital port, an abundant wildlife and a government committed to implementing business reforms, he said.

The minister said Kenya is in the process of establishing special economic zones which will have exceptional fiscal and infrastructural incentives.

"We look forward to partner with Chinese businesses in the implementation of economic zones," he said.

Key sectors in the Kenyan economy include agriculture which accounts for approximately 25 percent of its gross domestic product, tourism which was Kenya's third largest foreign exchange earner in 2009 and the manufacturing industry which takes up 10 percent of its GDP.

"All these sectors provide numerous opportunities for investment and profitable returns," Makwere said.

More than 150 Chinese enterprises discussed with their Kenyan counterparts at the forum to seek possibilities of business cooperation.