Chinese businesses committed to development in Kenya

In line with the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit held in Beijing in September, the Chinese business community in Kenya has expressed its commitment to participate in the economic development of the east African country through infrastructure development, job creation, cultural exchanges, environmental protection and corporate social responsibility activities. (Watch the video)

They lauded the 2024 FOCAC summit, noting that it injected new vitality into China-Kenya relations, creating new opportunities for practical cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, peace and security, and cultural exchanges.

Liu Chenghui, chairman of the Kenya China Economic and Trade Association, an organization focused on promoting and facilitating economic and trade relations between Kenya and China, said that driven by the Chinese quality, speed, solutions and commitment, the enterprises have developed projects that have helped Kenya's economy and social development.

Liu, who spoke during the launch of the 2022-23 Chinese Enterprises in Kenya Social Responsibility Report in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday, said Chinese enterprises in Kenya have employed more than 60,000 Kenyans in 2022-23, with the localization ratio exceeding 90 percent.

"We encourage our member companies to balance social responsibility and environmental protection with economic factors. We actively support their participation in educational, environmental, and welfare activities," he said.

Zhou Zhencheng, the minister counselor at the Chinese embassy in Kenya, said Chinese enterprises in Kenya have actively promoted the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Kenya's Vision 2030, becoming a driving force for the development of China-Kenya relations.

"From building schools to combating pandemics, from afforestation efforts to empowering women, Chinese enterprises have been writing new chapters in China-Africa cooperation with their concrete actions, adhering to the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith," he said.

Zhou said China will continue to support Kenya in achieving industrialization and economic transformation, advancing cooperation in emerging fields such as renewable energy and the digital economy.

Mohamed Daghar, principal secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Roads and Transport, said the report launch was an affirmation of the deepening relationship between China and Kenya and an assurance that the two countries will continue to collaborate.

"We are friends; Kenyan and Chinese governments have mutual cooperation that is beneficial to all," he said.

Daghar said the infrastructure development by Chinese companies has eased transportation within major cities like Nairobi, adding the development of hydrocarbon handling facilities in the Port of Mombasa has benefited both Kenya and the neighboring countries.

Jane Makori, the deputy director-general of Asia and the Pacific directorate at the Kenyan State Department of Foreign Affairs, said the department is open to facilitating the Chinese private sector to invest in the country.

"We are grateful to the Chinese private sector in conjunction with the Kenyan private sector for supporting the efforts of the China and Kenya governments to build a closer community with a shared future," she said, calling on Chinese enterprises to encourage more investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities in Kenya.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn