Chinese firms leave mark on Kenya expos

Chinese company representatives at a trade show in Nairobi. [Photo/China Daily]

Chinese companies from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan made their way to Nairobi in the past month for a series of trade shows.

Four events, all at the Kenyatta International Convention Center in Nairobi on different dates, brought together participants from more than 50 countries to exhibit their products while looking for willing local partners.

The Kenya Homes Expo 2015, the Auto Expo 2015, the Oil and Gas Expo 2015 and the Solar Energy Expo 2015 were all run by the Expogroup company and attracted more than 20 Chinese companies, mainly from Shandong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, as well as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The companies included Qingdao Bigbiz Tire Co, China Tyres Distribution and Shaanxi Automobile Holding Group, Mega Decor Interiors, Shandong Ruiyu Accumulator Co, Flame Rubber and Tire Co, Roogoo Tire Co and Sultan Palace Development.

Exhibitors at one of the biggest events, the auto expo, seemed divided on the show's results.

Cindy Wang, overseas manager at Qingdao Bigbiz, said the event had not really lived up to her expectations but nevertheless she was happy to market her tires in a new market with great potential.

Location was a problem because most Chinese companies were in the basement and signs directing attendees to the basement were insufficient, she said.

Wang, who was on her first visit to Africa, said Qingdao Bigbiz commands a big share of the Colombian market and is looking to repeat the same feat in Africa.

Another exhibitor, who gave her name as Linda, the sales manager at Ningbo Hengxiang Auto Parts Co, said the event would have received more visitors if it had been marketed aggressively.

"On the first day we hardly got any serious visitors. However, the last day has been the best. It is very strange because in most exhibitions I have attended, the first and second days are the ones best attended."

She was taken with Kenya's beauty and had the chance to go to Lake Nakuru National Park in Nakuru county before the exhibition to see wild animals and birds.

Ningbo Hengxiang makes automotive wheel parts. Its main export markets include Europe and the United States.