Kenya to host China Trade Expo

NAIROBI - Kenya is set to host the third edition of China Week Kenya from June 29 to July 1, organizers said on Tuesday.

MIE Events International Events Director Michelle Meyrick told a media briefing in Nairobi that the three-day event will be a business to business trade show featuring Chinese manufacturing companies looking to connect with local and regional firms in Africa.

"It will be an opportunity for the local community to develop direct trading links with high-end Chinese product manufacturers," Meyrick said.

She noted that the event will provide a trade environment that will be conducive to creating stronger ties between Chinese companies and the local business community looking to source for products and services from China.

According to the organizers, there will be 450 exhibitors from a range of industries including building construction, lighting, consumer electronics, auto parts, furniture, textiles, stationary and jewelry.

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.

Meyrick said that the exhibition is the only comprehensive China-focused trade event to be hosted in East Africa.

MIE Events Managing Director David Wang said that Kenya is the most developed economy in Eastern Africa and also the economic, commercial and logistic hub of the entire region.

"Sino-Kenya cooperation in various fields has gained momentum over the years, and it is the very reason why we are holding the China Trade Week in Nairobi for the third time," Wang said.

He noted that the exhibition will provide an opportunity for Kenyan entrepreneurs to grow strong business partnerships with Chinese companies and also benefit from the industrial capacity and wealth of knowledge from China.