On May 10, 2024, the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities and the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association jointly organized the China-Kenya Economic and Trade Investment Cooperation Roundtable Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, in active response to the new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. More than 70 representatives gathered to discuss topics such as Kenya's investment policies, market environment, laws and regulations, and operational experiences, aiming to promote high-quality development of China-Kenya economic and trade investment cooperation.

During the forum, the Alliance and the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association reached cooperation agreements. Key attendees included Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Investments and and Industry of Kenya; Yuan Lin, Deputy Director General of the West Asia and Africa Department of the Ministry of Commerce of China; Diao Chunhe, Executive President of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities; Yuan Chunkun, Chairman of the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association and General Manager of China Road and Bridge Corporation Kenya Office. The event was hosted by Liu Zhonghui, Vice President of the China-Africa Enterprise Social Responsibility Alliance.

Representatives from nearly 30 companies, including trade promotion delegations from Shandong (Linqu), Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and other regions, participated actively in the forum, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing economic and trade cooperation between China and Kenya.

Juma Mukhwana, the Permanent Secretary, expressed sincere gratitude for the robust development of China-Kenya cooperation over the past sixty years, highlighting significant progress in critical sectors such as infrastructure. He conveyed heartfelt appreciation for China's steadfast confidence in Kenya's economy. Kenya has been committed to deepening cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, building a community with a shared future for humanity, and advocating for win-win cooperation.

Mukhwana outlined Kenya's ambitious goal to increase the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from the current 7.5% to 25% by 2030. This target presents substantial investment opportunities for all investors, and he warmly welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Kenya.

Deputy Director General Yuan Lin expressed that during President Xi Jinping's visit to Africa in 2013, he emphasized that China-Africa cooperation should uphold the correct principle of "commitment of greater good and shared interests". Over the past decade, China has engaged in economic and trade cooperation with African countries, including Kenya, always balancing justice and interests and promoting integrated development.

Yuan Lin highlighted China's satisfaction with the efforts made since the establishment of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities. He noted that the Alliance has played a significant role in encouraging Chinese enterprises to fulfill their missions and responsibilities and support local development, achieving positive outcomes.

He expressed hope that the Alliance will continue to promote the development of corporate social responsibility in Africa, thereby making new contributions to building a closer community with a shared future between China and Africa.

President Diao Chunhe stated that in recent years, China-Kenya economic and trade investment cooperation has been steadily advancing towards a comprehensive strategic partnership under the guidance of their traditional friendly relations. Chinese enterprises, participating in Belt and Road cooperation projects, are gradually transitioning from "going to Africa" to "settling in Africa" and further "rooting in Africa". Alongside their production operations, these enterprises actively fulfill their social responsibilities, promoting people-to-people connectivity and ensuring that the benefits of development reach local communities, thereby contributing to the well-being of the Kenyan people. The Alliance is committed to working together with enterprises, actively practicing the concept of "wide consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits", to jointly promote China-Kenya investment cooperation to higher levels, broader fields, and more sustainable directions.

President Yuan Chunkun expressed that as a link in the economic cooperation between China and Kenya, the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association has been committed to promoting trade and cooperation between the two countries. Over the years, the association has adhered to the principles of sustainable development and mutual benefit, actively supporting Kenya's economic prosperity and fulfilling corporate social responsibilities. Today, the association is honored to establish a strategic partnership with the Alliance, aiming to expand cooperation areas and depth between the two sides, and to make greater contributions to the development of China-Kenya business cooperation and the prosperity of both countries.

Under the joint witness of Chinese and Kenyan guests, the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities and the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The two sides will collaborate on industrial promotion, research and investigation, capacity building, information sharing, and communication, aiming to establish a platform for "industrial cooperation + social responsibility + shared outcomes." This initiative aims to provide higher quality and more efficient services to businesses, foster effective connections with Kenyan counterparts, and promote high-quality development of Sino-Kenyan economic and trade investment cooperation.

During the market introduction session, experts from the Kenyan Investment Promotion Authority, OGUTU, and Cao Xinglong, Regional Director for Africa from Yingke Law Firm, presented Kenya's investment policies and compliance strategies.

In the exchange and promotion session, Yuan Chunkun, General Manager of China Road and Bridge Corporation in Kenya, Miao Qiyu, Business Manager of Keda Kenya Ceramics Co., Ltd., and Lv Zhongyi, Deputy Director of the Overseas Department of Jiangsu International, shared practical experiences of investing and operating in Africa with attending enterprises. Deputy County Mayor Dong Shuhua from Linqu County and Dou Jingjuan, General Manager of the Shandong Huajian Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd., introduced and showcased the advantages and intentions of local cooperation with Africa.

These sessions are intended to deepen exchanges and cooperation between China and Kenya, further promoting the development of Sino-Kenyan economic and trade relations, and laying a solid foundation for future collaboration.

Xinhua News Agency, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Nation Media Group, The Star, KTN, and other mainstream media in China and Kenya reported on the event.

At the Forum

JUMA MUKHWANA, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Investments of Kenya

Yuanlin, Deputy Director General of the West Asia and Africa Department of the Ministry of Commerce of China

Diao Chunhe, Executive President of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities

Yuan Chunkun, Chairman of the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association

Alliance and the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association signed a strategic cooperation agreement

Guests' Speeches

Liu Zhonghui, Vice President of the Alliance presided the Forum