VENTURES AFRICA – About five decades ago,
China and Kenya struck up a bilateral relationship that has been, for
the most part, mutually beneficial; this engagement is now set to expand
with a new focus on industrial development and technology transfer.
This was the central gist of a message from Mr Wang Yi, China’s
Foreign Affairs Minister, to President Uhuru Kenyatta at the start of
the Chinese Minister’s eight day tour of Africa. Mr Wang revealed that
part of his agenda was to strengthen the existing bilateral
co-operations between Kenya and China and establish new frontiers that
the two countries can jointly play in. According to him, Kenya is about
to take off industrially and China is ready to offer significant support
in this quest.
“China stands ready to share its experiences on industrial zoning
and special economic zones and we are ready for more cooperation in
these fields. Industrial relocation was how China took off and Kenya can
benefit from it,” said Mr Wang.
He went ahead to disclose the preliminary strategy engaged by China
in boosting industrialization saying that the Asian powerhouse had
allowed companies from neighboring countries to set up operating bases
in the country thus stimulating the transfer of skills and technology to
the Chinese people, eventually the state experienced greater technology
advancement.
The Standard Gauge Railway is the flagship of the China-Kenya
partnership which will now focus on Industrial development, technology
transfer, agricultural modernization and infrastructure development.
Mineral exploitation and environmental conservation are tipped to be
additional frontiers of the renewed cooperation. On regional peace and
security, Mr Wang said China will also be willing to collaborate closely
with Kenya.
President Kenyatta welcomed the proposal by China to increase
bilateral relations with Kenya especially because of the significant
upgrade in infrastructure that arose as a result of the cooperation.
“Our relationship is built on the principle of partnership. This is
a partnership I want to see increased and cemented to bring mutual
benefits. We need you to work with us to link the Eastern Africa region
by extending the railway to our neighbouring countries including Uganda,
South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and even the DRC to open up the regional
economy,” said the President.
The President also stated that Kenya, which has been a central
pillar in promoting regional peace efforts, counts on Chinese support in
order to bring stability to countries in the region that are affected
by wars.
With as many as 10,000 Chinese nationals working in Kenya, the East
African state may have enough skilled manpower required to facilitate
the objectives of the renewed partnership.
By Emmanuel Iruebo
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