Kenya and Shenzhen Deepen Trade Ties to Accelerate Industrial Growth and Investment

Industry Principal Secretary Dr. Juma Mukhwana, has called on Chinese investors to grow their investment in Kenya as a way of strengthening the economic ties that exist between the two countries. 
Dr. Mukhwana noted the need for Kenyan investors to also take advantage of the recently signed China- Kenya trade and economic agreements, as well as the removal of tariffs on Kenyan exports to China, to grow Kenya's export portfolio. 
Speaking during the Kenya-China (Shenzhen) Economic and Trade Exchange and City Branding Conference in Nairobi, Dr. Mukhwana noted that Kenya being a strategic gateway to Africa, presented a number of opportunities for manufacturing, agro- processing and cultural tourism and technological innovations.

Dr. Juma Mukhwana invited Chinese investors to take advantage of government-allocated land for County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across counties, noting “We want Shenzhen-based companies to build, operate, and eventually transfer these facilities to Kenyans, through industrial partnership.”
Kenya’s emerging manufacturing zones, ranging from Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Athi River to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Dongo Kundu, Eldoret and Naivasha, are set to benefit from such collaborations, especially as the country seeks to raise its manufacturing contribution to GDP from 7.6% to 20% by 2030.
At the conference, Kenya and China’s tech-driven city of Shenzhen led by the President of the Shenzhen Overseas Friendship Association Mr. Wang Qiang, pledged to strengthen economic ties and deepen trade collaboration in a bid to accelerate industrial growth, regional trade, and sustainable development. 
Shenzhen which is China’s innovation powerhouse and home to global tech giants like Huawei, ZTE, Tencent, and BYD, is now looking to expand its investment footprint in Africa, starting with Kenya. We believe partnering with Kenya’s private sector can bring mutual value and innovation.
The event that was organized by Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce led by President Zhuo Wu brought together Chinese companies in Kenya and overseas in exploring more opportunities for investing in the manufacturing, agro-processing, and automobile assembly in the country, among others.