Kenyans hold high expectations on expo

陈小将

Kenyan traders are having high expectations from China's famous international trade fair, which is being held offline for the first time in three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 133rd China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, will open in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Saturday and run until May 5. Traders from more than 220 countries and regions are expected to attend the fair.

In the East African country of Kenya, traders are hopeful the Canton Fair will provide them with opportunities to sign deals that will further promote trade relations between Kenya and China.

Eva Nganga, director of Varet Products, an integrated sanitation management company and a regular traveler to the fair, said she was excited she was going to attend it.

"I want to see what the Chinese have been thinking during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what is new. I'm sure there are a lot of new technologies and innovations," she said.

She said that besides the manpower, the high cost of power and water and the unfavorable business environment are key challenges to manufacturing in Kenya.

"Everybody is going to China because there is manpower and the manpower believes in innovation and new technology. When one has a big picture in the mind and takes it to China, it can be actualized in a very short time and in the cheapest way ever," she said.

Colleen Rotich, director of resource mobilization at the Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Kenya Chapter, said seven of the chamber's members will be attending the fair.

She said most of the women are in the business of plastics and hospital supplies, adding that her task will be to ensure they get exactly what they want.