To trade or not to? They say that when we stop talking is when we start fighting.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has admitted that there has been a long standing trade imbalance between China and Kenya in favour of the former over the years. He has however affirmed that the government is working on ensuring that this mistake is rectofoed into the future and insisted that Kenya is on track to ensure that it happens soonest possible.
Uhuru however clarified that Kenya, as well as other African nations remain open for business with the East Giants only being careful to ensure that that trade is a source of empowerment for the people and not a source of hopelessness. He told the Africa welcomes China International Import Expo (CIIE) gathering in Shanghai that Kenya was keen on having China consume more of its products.
“While Kenya, and the rest of Africa welcome partnerships in all areas, we seek to give priority to trade and investment opportunities. We also seek to participate in global trade as a means to grow our industrial and technological capacity, to create jobs and to achieve the continental growth ambitions articulated in the Africa Union Agenda 2063. It is important to correct the existing trade imbalance to enable a fairer share of the benefits of trade.”
“Africa welcomes China International Import Expo (CIIE) as an important step towards closing the gap in this imbalance. I would like to encourage more firms to establish joint ventures with Kenyan entrepreneurs and to increase the content of locally produced goods and services in their projects and industries. This will lend support to my Governments’ #Big4Agenda that seeks to boost investments in manufacturing, food security, affordable housing and universal health care.”
“Today I met with the President of China H.E. Xi Jinping in Shanghai, China. Our talks focused on promoting economic and trade exchange and cooperation between our two countries ahead of the inaugural China International Import Expo (CIIE). I wish to express our appreciation to President Xi for initiating the process of opening up the Chinese markets to our exports, and for ensuring that #Africa is a key facet of this mutually beneficial economic model.”
“Access to the Chinese market will have a positive impact on the lives of common people & this will help counter any negative propaganda peddled by detractors of our strong Sino-African relations. As a nation we look forward to an open Chinese market for Kenya’s exports.” he stated.
That said and done, seems that the trade between the two countries can only get better with the high exchange of manpower and skill between them getting even stronger over the years.
What do you think is the future on Kenya-China trade and general relations?