Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Xi Jinping of China meet ahead of
the inaugural China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai,
China, on November 4, 2018. PHOTO | PSCU
The world’s largest producer of silk, Guangdong Silk-Tex Group, has announced its plans to set up shop in Kenya.
Top
officials of the government-owned company met President Uhuru Kenyatta
in Shanghai, China, Sunday during which they confirmed plans to set up
business in Nairobi.
Officials of the company were led by their chairman, Mr Ke Huiqi.
The
company will not only setup a silk processing factory at the Export
Processing Zone in Athi River, but will also establish a silk farm.
The
Guangdong Silk-Tex Group will establish a cocoon farm on an estimated
8,237 acres of land, with capacity to handle the entire silk value chain
covering cocoon procurement, silk reeling, weaving and trading.
The venture is expected to create over 300,000 jobs for Kenyans.
Referral centre
In another
sitting, President Kenyatta met officials of Cherami China-Africa
Investment Management, a firm that plans to construct a cancer treatment
centre in Kenya, in partnership with the University of Nairobi.
The
proposed cancer treatment and referral centre is envisioned to become
the largest such facility in sub-Saharan Africa and will be constructed
next to the University of Nairobi's Dental School.
The
joint venture will include exchange programmes with leading Chinese
universities as well as training for Kenyan cancer experts.
The partnership will also include other Kenyan universities and explore opportunities in agricultural value addition.
The
Kenyan delegation to the meeting included the University of Nairobi
Vice-Chancellor, Prof Peter Mbithi, while officials of Cherami were led
by its Director Chen Ruibing and CEO, Mr Wei Xiaolin.
Earlier in the day, President Kenyatta and President Xi Jinping held
bilateral talks at the Xijiao State Guest Hotel in Shanghai during
which they discussed measures to strengthen trade and investment ties
between Kenya and China.
Eyeing opportunities
At the meeting, President Kenyatta said the trade expo provides a platform for more win-win partnerships.
On
his part, the Chinese leader gave a firm assurance that China will take
proactive measures to correct the trade imbalance between Kenya and
China.
President Kenyatta also held talks with Chinese investors eyeing opportunities at the Lamu Port.
China is hosting the first ever import expo that is attended by participants from over 130 countries.
China is using the Expo to showcase its willingness to open up its huge market to other countries.
President
Kenyatta will also use the opportunity presented by the Expo explore
additional markets for Kenya’s commodities especially agricultural
produce.
Tomorrow, President Kenyatta is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the official opening of the expo.
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