Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2020 shows the outdoor exhibition area of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
- "Trade in services is critical in increasing international trade as well as enhance the growth of trade in goods. Trade in services makes an important contribution to the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises also."
- "The vibrancy and its internal market dynamics make China a potential market for Kenya's exports."
NAIROBI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will leverage its participation at the upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services to boost a post-COVID-19 recovery through increased exports of goods and services to the Asian nation, a government official said here on Wednesday.
Wilfred Marube, chief executive officer of the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, said participation at the services trade fair, scheduled for Sept. 4-9, will revitalize commercial ties and hasten economic recovery after the coronavirus-induced downturn.
"Trade in services is critical in increasing international trade as well as enhance the growth of trade in goods. Trade in services makes an important contribution to the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises also," Marube told Xinhua in an interview.
A staff member adjusts the equipment at the exhibition area of the CIFTIS in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
"This is a strategic event for Kenyan service providers to participate, especially those in the fields of transport and logistics, financial services, education and health," he added.
Kenyan officials and investors will attend the international trade fair in China to showcase the East African nation's potential as an attractive investment destination, according to the official.
"The vibrancy and its internal market dynamics make China a potential market for Kenya's exports. We can tap the potential for trade growth of both countries, to raise the quality and level of bilateral trade," he said.
Marube said China's trade fair will also provide an opportunity for Kenya to increase its export portfolio to China amid the pandemic.
Photo taken on Sept. 1, 2020 shows a food delivery robot working in an outdoor exhibition pavilion near the China National Convention Center, where the CIFTIS will be held, in the Beijing Olympic Park in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
According to Marube, Kenya will utilize the trade fair to help boost market access for key products like tea, avocados, vegetables and cut flowers.
The fair, he added, will provide a platform to bolster trade in key services like health, information and communications technology, logistics, banking and insurance.
Marube said that China has become one of the leading consumers of tourism products in Kenya, adding that the trade fair will present an opportunity to showcase the country's scenic attractions.
He said that Nairobi will strengthen compliance with international health protocols to ensure that exports to China minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Senior Kenyan policymakers, lawmakers, scholars and media representatives visit the AVIC technical and vocational training program at Kenya Technical Trainers College in Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct. 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu)
According to Marube, Kenya will comply with "the sanitary and phytosanitary requirements" to boost the export of fresh produce to China and develop an online portal to showcase its products and services.
Nairobi also wants to harness opportunities provided by China's major e-commerce platforms to increase exports to the Asian Nation, he added.
"China is a future market for Kenya and therefore we continue doing business as we grow our key exports to the market," he said. ■
