Kenya and Chinese fashion and lifestyle entrepreneurs are keen to forge closer collaboration to leverage the industry to enhance trade relations between the two countries.
This came to light during the inaugural East Africa (Kenya) Fashion Life Show held in Nairobi this week, a forum that brought together business people from Kenya and China to showcase their products, especially in the fashion industry, and identify and forge partnerships.
The Exhibition was jointly supported by the Department of Commerce of China’s Shandong Province, in collaboration with the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
“The purpose of the exhibition is to improve the quality of life of local people and promote the development of local light industry, promote trade and investment, as well as build a platform to strengthen the international exchanges and cooperation and investment in the fashion industry in Kenya,” said Gao Wei from the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association said
Gao who is also the Managing Director for Afripeak Expo Kenya Limited said the expo, besides acting as a bridge for connecting Chinese and local fashion industries, will foster cultural exchange and understanding.
“A fusion of China’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and Kenya’s ingenuity will lead to the production of high-quality and culturally rich fashion items that appeal to global consumers,” he said
“Kenya, conversely, can leverage China’s advanced production capabilities to scale up its fashion industry, creating more job opportunities and stimulating the local economy,” he added
Apart from organizing the expo, the Afripeak boss received praise from the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry for linking numerous Kenyan companies to opportunities in China.
“Our countries share a commitment to economic growth and development. And we are confident that by working together we can achieve even greater success. As KNCCI we are doing a lot of trade with China. We even opened an office in Hunan One year ago. Our next stop is Shandong,” noted KNCCI Director Ken Onditi said
According to Onditi, KNCCI, as representatives of the business community, understands the importance of promoting trade and investment between Kenya and China. He said, by fostering strong partnerships, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, the two sides can unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
“At the heart of our mission is the desire to build a lasting relationship based on mutual trust and respect which we have enjoyed so far. We believe that by fostering a spirit of collaboration and understanding, we can create a foundation for long-term success and shared prosperity,” he said
During the three-day expo, which attracted 60 exhibitors – 40 local and 20 Chinese, Kenya’s trade agencies noted they were ready to facilitate entry of Chinese investors eyeing the country’s fashion industry as an avenue to boost trade.
The agencies led by Kenya Investment Authority believe their One Start One Stop Shops will play a major role in this regard. KenInvest’s Investment Promotion senior officer Caleb Tanui stated that exhibitions offer better opportunities to position fashion and lifestyle entrepreneurs for global collaborations, cultural exchange, economic growth, and innovations.
“We welcome more of you and take up the vast investment opportunities that Kenya presents. Kindly identify opportunities you can tap into,” he told Chinese investors attending the forum
He said Kenya is an important participant of the Belt and Road Initiative and has progressively become the gateway for Chinese enterprises to Africa, effectively building a bridge of connectivity between China and Africa.
“China has become Kenya’s largest trading partner, the largest creditor, and the main source of contractors for infrastructure development for Kenya,” noted Tanui
“The robust Kenya-China cooperation has seen an unprecedented growth in the number of Chinese companies setting up shop in Kenya. Currently, we have over 400 companies from China operating in Kenya some having their African headquarters here in Nairobi,” he added
The fashion show and the expo saw Chinese exhibitors showcase a wide range of products including household items, textiles and apparel, beauty and personal care, children’s toys, and electronics.
Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Erick Rutto said the inaugural event was a great milestone for the two countries in promoting economic ties.
“We appreciate the opportunity for our members to showcase their products and services, strengthening the economic ties between our two countries and within the region,” said the KNCCI boss
“We believe that by fostering strong partnerships and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity,” he added.
