by Ronald Njoroge
NAIROBI, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The third edition of China Trade Week Kenya opened its doors on Thursday with the hope of boosting Sino-Kenya trade.
Organizers MIE Events Managing Director David Wang told journalists in Nairobi that China is already Kenya's top trading partner.
"The China Trade Expo will further boost Sino-Kenya trade by providing an opportunity for Kenyan businesses to interact with their Chinese counterparts without travelling out of Kenya," Wang said.
"The aim for the event is for Kenyan and East Africa traders to find suppliers of quality Chinese products," he said. Over 400 Chinese exhibitors will be at the three day event.
Chinese manufacturers from diverse sectors as manufacturing, construction materials, ceramics, automotive parts and consumer products will showcase their products.
He noted that Kenya's business community typically has to travel to China in order to interact with Chinese manufacturers.
"But with the expo, even the small traders who can't afford to travel to China can now link with the best Chinese manufacturers in the world," he added.
Wang noted that Chinese manufacturers are attracted to Kenya due to its favorable business climate coupled with a growing middle class.
Former Kenyan Ambassador to China Julius Sunkuli said that China has emerged as Kenya's top trading partner largely because it is a source of quality and affordable products to Kenyan consumers.
Sunkuli noted that as a result of the cordial Sino-Kenya relationship, Chinese firms have played a visible role in Kenya's development.
In 2016, the event brought together 400 exhibitors and over 16,500 visitors. Similar events will also be held in Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia.
